Altered function in atrium of transgenic mice overexpressing triadin 1

Triadin 1 is a protein in the cardiac junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) that interacts with the ryanodine receptor, junctin, and calsequestrin, proteins that are important for Ca2+ release. To better understand the role of triadin 1 in SR-Ca2+ release, we studied the time-dependent expression of SR proteins and contractility in atria of 3-, 6-, and 18-wk-old transgenic mice overexpressing canine cardiac triadin 1 under control of the alpha-myosin heavy chain (MHC) promoter. Three-week-old transgenic atria exhibited mild hypertrophy. Finally, atrial weight was increased by 110% in 18-wk-old transgenic mice. Triadin 1 overexpression was accompanied by time-dependent changes in the protein expression of the ryanodine receptor, junctin, and cardiac/slow-twitch muscle SR Ca2+-ATPase isoform. Force of contraction was already decreased in 3-wk-old transgenic atria. The application of caffeine led to a positive inotropic effect in transgenic atria of 3-wk-old mice. Rest pauses resulted in an increased potentiation of force of contraction after restimulation in 3- and 6-wk-old mice and a reduced potentiation of force of contraction in 18-wk-old transgenic mice. Hence, triadin 1 overexpression triggered time-dependent alterations in SR protein expression, Ca2+ homeostasis, and contractility, indicating for the first time an inhibitory function of triadin 1 on SR-Ca2+ release in vivo.