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.

The Involvement of Ca^2＋ Signal Pathways in Distal Colonic Myocytes in a Rat Model of Dextran Sulfate Sodium-induced Colitis

Background： Disrupted Ca2＋ homeostasis contributes to the development of colonic dysmotility in ulcerative colitis （UC）, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. This study aimed to examine the alteration of colonic smooth muscle （SM） Ca2＋ signaling and Ca2＋ handling proteins in a rat model of dextran sulfate sodium （DSS）-induced UC. Methods： Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control （n = 18） and DSS （n = 17） groups. Acute colitis was induced by 5% DSS in the drinking water for 7 days. Contractility of colonic SM strips （controls, n = 8 and DSS, n = 7） was measured in an organ bath. Cytosolic resting Ca2＋ levels （n = 3 in each group） and Ca2＋ transients （n = 3 in each group） were measured in single colonic SM cells. Ca2＋ handling protein expression was determined by Western blotting （n = 4 in each group）. Differences between control and DSS groups were analyzed by a two-sample independent t-test. Results： Average tension and amplitude of spontaneous contractions of colonic muscle strips were significantly enhanced in DSS-treated rats compared with controls （1.25 ± 0.08 g vs. 0.96 - 0.05 g, P = 0.007; and 2.67 - 0.62 g vs. 0.52 ±0.10 g, P= 0.013）. Average tensions of carbachol-evoked contractions were much weaker in the DSS group （1.08 ±0.10 g vs. 1.80 ±0.19 g, P = 0.006）. Spontaneous Ca2＋ transients were observed in more SM cells from DSS-treated rats （15/30 cells） than from controls （5/36 cells）. Peak caffeine-induced intracellular Ca2＋ release was lower in SM cells of DSS-treated rats than controls （0.413 ±0.046 vs. 0.548 ±0.041, P = 0.033）. Finally, several Ca2＋ handling proteins in colonic SM were altered by DSS treatment, including sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium-transporting ATPase 2a downregulation and phospholamban and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 1 upregulation. Conclusions： Impaired intracellular Ca2＋ signaling of colonic SM, caused by alteration of Ca2＋ handing proteins, contribute to colonic dysmotility in DSS-induced UC.