Original Article
Role of intracellular Ca2+ overload in inducing changes in cardiac gene expression
Author(s): A Tanju Ozcelikay, Donald Chapman, Vijayan Elimban and Naranjan S Dhalla*
OBJECTIVES: Although intracellular Ca2+ overload is believed to cause cardiac abnormalities and subcellular remodelling, its role in inducing alterations in cardiac gene expression has not been investigated.
METHODS: Intracellular Ca2+ overload was induced in isolated rat hearts on perfusion with Ca2+-free medium for 5 min followed by reperfusion with medium containing different concentrations of Ca2+ for 30 min (Ca2+paradox). Changes in messenger RNA levels for various subcellular proteins were monitored either by Northern blotting or real-time polymerase chain reaction techniques.
RESULTS: Marked depressions in gene expression for sarcolemma Na+- K+-ATPase and Na+-Ca2+ exchanger, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-pump ATPase, Ca2+ release channel and phospholamban, as well as myofibrillar α- and β-myosin heavy chain proteins were observed in hearts reperfused wi.. Read More»
DOI:
10.4172/2368-0512.1000004
