Myocardial infarction in mice alters sarcomeric function via post-translational protein modification

Myocardial physiology in the aftermath of myocardial infarction (MI) before remodeling is an under-explored area of investigation. Here, we describe the effects of MI on the cardiac sarcomere with focus on the possible contributions of reactive oxygen species. We surgically induced MI in 6-7-month-old female CD1 mice by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Data were collected 3-4 days after MI or sham (SH) surgery. MI hearts demonstrated ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction upon echo cardiographic analysis. Sub-maximum Ca-activated tension in detergent-extracted fiber bundles from papillary muscles increased significantly in the preparations from MI hearts. Ca2+ sensitivity increased after MI, whereas cooperativity of activation decreased. To assess myosin enzymatic integrity we measured splitting of Ca-ATP in myofibrillar preparations, which demonstrated a decline in Ca-ATPase activity of myofilament myosin. Biochemical analysis demonstrated post-translational modification of sarcomeric proteins. Phosphorylation of cardiac troponin I and myosin light chain 2 was reduced after MI in papillary samples, as measured using a phospho-specific stain. Tropomyosin was oxidized after MI, forming disulfide products detectable by diagonal non-reducing-reducing SDS-PAGE. Our analysis of myocardial protein oxidation post-MI also demonstrated increased S-glutathionylation. We functionally linked protein oxidation with sarcomere function by treating skinned fibers with the sulfhydryl reducing agent dithiothreitol, which reduced Ca2+ sensitivity in MI, but not SH, samples. Our data indicate important structural and functional alterations to the cardiac sarcomere after MI, and the contribution of protein oxidation to this process.