SENP2-mediated SERCA2a deSUMOylation increases calcium overload in cardiomyocytes to aggravate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Background:Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a(SERCA2a)is a key protein that maintains myocardial Ca2+homeostasis.The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the SERCA2a-SUMOylation(small ubiquitinlike modifier)process after ischemia/reperfusion injury(I/RI)in vitro and in vivo.Methods:Calcium transient and systolic/diastolic function of cardiomyocytes isolated from Serca2a knockout(KO)and wildtype mice with I/RI were compared.SUMO-relevant protein expression and localization were detected by quantitative real-time PCR(RT-qPCR),Western blotting,and immunofluorescence in vitro and in vivo.Serca2a-SUMOylation,infarct size,and cardiac function of Senp1 or Senp2 overexpressed/suppressed adenovirus infected cardiomyocytes,were detected by immunoprecipitation,triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)-Evans blue staining,and echocardiography respectively.Results:The results showed that the changes of Fura-2 fluorescence intensity and contraction amplitude of cardiomyocytes decreased in the I/RI groups and were further reduced in the Serca2a KO+I/RI groups.Senp1 and Senp2 messenger ribose nucleic acid(mRNA)and protein expression levels in vivo and in cardiomyocytes were highest at 6 h and declined at 12 h after I/RI.However,the highest levels in HL-1 cells were recorded at 12 h.Senp2 expression increased in the cytoplasm,unlike that of Senp1.Inhibition of Senp2 protein reversed the I/RI-induced Serca2a-SUMOylation decline,reduced the infarction area,and improved cardiac function,while inhibition of Senp1 protein could not restore the above indicators.Conclusion:I/RI activated Senp1 and Senp2 protein expression,which promoted Serca2a-deSUMOylation,while inhibition of Senp2 expression reversed Serca2a-SUMOylation and improved cardiac function.