Abstract 198: Stim/orai Channel Complex In Normal And Hypertrophied Adult Cardiac Myocytes

Abstract

Cardiac myocytes use Ca2+ not only in excitation-contraction coupling but also as a signaling molecule for cardiac growth. It is however unclear how Ca2+ triggers signaling in cardiac myocytes in the presence of the rapid and large Ca2+ fluctuations that occur during excitation-contraction coupling. We have recently reported that stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), a calcium sensor in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, is a critical element in promoting cardiomyocyte growth through the control of a previously unrecognized sarcolemmal voltage-independent current. Our goal was to characterize the plasma membrane partners that contribute to STIM1-dependent currents in normal and hypertrophied adult cardiac myocytes.

We firstly characterized the expression profile of TRPCs and ORAIs proteins in both normal and hypertrophied ventricular myocytes from abdominal aortic banded rats. The expression of TRPC1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and of ORAI1 - 3 was identified with an up-regulation of TRPC1 in hypertrophied cells. We then used a non-viral method to deliver cy3-tagged siRNAs to ventricular myocytes to knock-down the candidate channels. The cardiac myocytes were isolated and whole cell patch-clamp technique as well as Fura-2 imaging were performed to measure the currents in cy3-labelled and in control cardiac myocytes. Our data demonstrated that the drug-inducible STIM1-dependent store-operated calcium entry was marginal in normal myocytes but was enhanced in hypertrophied myocytes. In addition, a basal inwardly rectifying current was observed in hypertrophied but not in control myocytes. This spontaneous current was recorded in the absence of calcium store depletion, required STIM1 expression and meets the characteristics of Arachidonate-Regulated Calcium selective (ARC) channels. ORAI silencing completely inhibited both store-dependent and store-independent currents suggesting the critical implication of ORAIs whereas TRPCs were only marginally involved.

In conclusion, ORAI channels are involved in STIM1-dependent currents observed in hypertrophied adult cardiac myocytes. In addition to store-operated calcium entry, the STIM1/ORAI complex provides an alternative, store-independent pathway for agonist-activated Ca2+ entry.