title: Valsartan Upregulates Kir2.1 in Rats Suffering from Myocardial Infarction via Casein Kinase 2.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Myocardial infarction (MI) results in an increased susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias, due in part to decreased inward-rectifier K+ current (IK1), which is mediated primarily by the Kir2.1 protein. The use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system antagonists is associated with a reduced incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. Casein kinase 2 (CK2) binds and phosphorylates SP1, a transcription factor of KCNJ2 that encodes Kir2.1. Whether valsartan represses CK2 activation to ameliorate IK1 remodeling following MI remains unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wistar rats suffering from MI received either valsartan or saline for 7 days. The protein levels of CK2 and Kir2.1 were each detected via a Western blot analysis. The mRNA levels of CK2 and Kir2.1 were each examined via quantitative real-time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CK2 expression was higher at the infarct border; and was accompanied by a depressed IK1/Kir2.1 protein level. Additionally, CK2 overexpression suppressed KCNJ2/Kir2.1 expression. By contrast, CK2 inhibition enhanced KCNJ2/Kir2.1 expression, establishing that CK2 regulates KCNJ2 expression. Among the rats suffering from MI, valsartan reduced CK2 expression and increased Kir2.1 expression compared with the rats that received saline treatment. In vitro, hypoxia increased CK2 expression and valsartan inhibited CK2 expression. The over-expression of CK2 in cells treated with valsartan abrogated its beneficial effect on KCNJ2/Kir2.1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AT1 receptor antagonist valsartan reduces CK2 activation, increases Kir2.1 expression and thereby ameliorates IK1 remodeling after MI in the rat model.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Xinran
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hesheng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Xiaolu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wenjuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Yongli
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xuan
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Suhua
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D047390:Casein Kinase II / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D061251:Primary Cell Culture; D051381:Rats; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D000068756:Valsartan / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: C575188:KCNJ2 protein, rat; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D000068756:Valsartan; D047390:Casein Kinase II