Mechanisms of action and clinical implications of cardiac urocortin: a journey from the heart to the systemic circulation, with a stopover in the mitochondria.
The small peptide urocortin (Ucn) has the ability to protect the heart by reducing cardiac cell loss during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, and improving post-ischemic cardiac performance. Although its mechanism of action is not clearly defined, investigations have revealed that Ucn acts through several kinase pathways, and modulates a group of genes which synergistically minimize mitochondrial damage. Besides cardioprotection, most recent findings suggest a role for Ucn as a cardiac biomarker. Serum Ucn levels may be clinically useful to diagnose cases of mild sub-lethal ischemia, lacking elevation of cardiac enzymes and electrocardiogram changes. Infusion of Ucn may also help reduce the extent of the iatrogenic ischemic/reperfusion injury, associated with cardioplegic arrest.
Kuizon
Erlene
E
Center for Heart and Vessel Preclinical Studies, St John Hospital and Medical Center, Wayne State University Medical School, Detroit, MI, USA.
Pearce
Eve G
EG
Bailey
Sarah G
SG
Chen-Scarabelli
Carol
C
Yuan
Zhaokan
Z
Abounit
Kadija
K
McCauley
Roy B
RB
Saravolatz
Louis
L
Faggian
Giuseppe
G
Mazzucco
Alessandro
A
Townsend
Paul A
PA
Scarabelli
Tiziano M
TM
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008929:Mitochondria, Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D009336:Necrosis; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D054832:Urocortins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D054832:Urocortins; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)