Functional effects of protein kinase C-mediated myofilament phosphorylation in human myocardium

Objective: In human heart failure beta-adrenergic-mediated protein kinase A (PKA) activity is down-regulated, while protein kinase C (PKC) activity is up-regulated. PKC-mediated myofilament protein phosphorylation might be detrimental for contractile function in cardiomyopathy. This study was designed to reveal the effects of PKC on myofilament function in human myocardium under basal conditions and upon modulation of protein phosphorylation by PKA and phosphatases. Methods: Isometric force was measured at different [Ca2+] in single permeabilized cardiomyocytes from non-failing and failing human left ventricular tissue. Basal phosphorylation of myofilament proteins and the influence of PKC, PKA, and phosphatase treatments were analyzed by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, Western immunoblotting, and ELISA. Results: Troponin I (TnI) phosphorylation at the PKA sites was decreased in failing compared to non-failing hearts and correlated well with myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity (pCa(50)). Incubation with the catalytic domain of PKC slightly decreased maximal force under basal conditions, but not following PKA and phosphatase pretreatments. PKC reduced Ca2+ sensitivity to a larger extent in failing (Delta pCa(50) = 0.19 +/- 0.03 ) than in non-failing (Delta pCa(50)=0.08 +/- 0.01) cardiomyocytes. This shift was reduced, though still significant, when PKC was preceded by PKA, while PKA following PKC did not further decrease pCa(50). Protein analysis indicated that PKC phosphorylated PKA sites in human TnI and increased phosphorylation of troponin T, while myosin light chain phosphorylation remained unaltered. Conclusion: In human myocardium PKC-mediated myofilament protein phosphorylation only has a minor effect on maximal force development. The PKC-mediated decrease in Ca2+ sensitivity may serve to improve diastolic function in failing human myocardium in which PKA-mediated TnI phosphorylation is decreased. (c) 2005 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.