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We have cloned and sequenced full-length cDNAs encoding mouse slow skeletal muscle troponin T (sTnT). Alternative mRNA splicing-generated two high Mr isoforms and one low Mr sTnT isoform differing in the NH2-terminal primary structure have been identified by Western blotting, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and cDNA cloning/expression analyses. Together with a 5'-alternative exon that was also found in human sTnT encoding an 11-amino-acid acidic segment, the results revealed a novel alternative splicing pathway to include or exclude a three-base segment to generate additional sTnT isoforms with NH2-terminal charge variations. Overriding the phylogenetic divergence, primary structure of sTnT is better conserved between mammalian and avian species than that of cardiac, fast and skeletal muscle TnTs from one species. Western blots demonstrate four expression patterns of sTnT during postnatal skeletal muscle development: (1) a decrease to a non-detectable level in mouse masseter, (2) an increase to become the sole TnT in sheep masseter, (3) an increase of the total level as well as the proportion of the low Mr isoform in sheep diaphragm and, (4) no significant change in total level or high/low Mr isoform ratio in sheep gastrocnemius. The highly conserved primary structure and fiber type-specific and developmentally regulated expression of sTnT indicate a physiological importance of this under-studied member of the TnT gene family.

Distinct from the cardiac and slow skeletal muscle troponin Ts, an alternative RNA splicing-generated COOH-terminal variable region exists in the fast skeletal muscle troponin T. Mutually exclusive splicing of exon 16 and 17 encoded sequence into the mature mRNA produces the alpha- and beta-isoform, respectively. By cloning and sequence analysis of large numbers of fast troponin T cDNAs, we have quantitatively demonstrated that expression of the exon 16-encoded structure is mature fast muscle-specific (its utilization ranges from null in neonatal mouse muscles to 97% in adult chicken pectoralis), indicating a functional adaptation to the contractile feature of muscle. An aberrant splicing of this variable region to exclude both exons 16 and 17 from the mRNA was found in neonatal mouse skeletal muscle by cloning and sequencing characterization of a full length fTnT cDNA. The unusual splicing of exon 18 and exon 15 in the mRNA sequence results in not only a deletion of the exon 16/17 segment but also a shift of the downstream translation reading frame to produce a troponin T polypeptide with mutant COOH-terminus. Similar to an abnormal splicing of cardiac troponin T caused by cis-mutation and a dominant allele causing human familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, this trans-factor-determined aberrant mRNA splicing pathway generates a truncated troponin T molecule lacking the developmentally regulated fast muscle-specific COOH-terminal domain, indicating potential etiopathological significance.

Large samples of original cDNAs encoding neonatal and adult mouse fast skeletal muscle troponin T (fTnT) have been isolated and characterized. The results demonstrate expression relationships of 8 alternatively spliced exons of the fTnT gene and reveal the primary structure of as many as 13 fTnT isoforms that diverge into acidic and basic classes due to differential mRNA splicing in the N-terminal variable region. In the C-terminal variable region encoded by the mutually exclusive exons 16 and 17, the splicing pathway and structure of exon 16 appears to be adult fTnT-specific, suggesting an adaptation to the functional demands of mature fast skeletal muscle. The cloned cDNAs were expressed in E. coli as standards to identify a high M(r) to low M(r), acidic to basic fTnT isoform transition in postnatal developing skeletal muscles. Different from the developmental cardiac TnT switch generated by alternative splicing of a single exon, the fTnT isoform transition is an additive effect of alternative splicing of multiple N-terminal-coding exons, especially exons 4, 8 and fetal that are expressed at higher frequencies in the neonatal than in the adult muscle. The developmental fTnT isoform primary structure transition in both N- and C-terminal variable regions suggest a physiological importance of the apparently complex TnT isoform expression.

A repeating metal-binding (Cu2+ > Ni2+ > Zn2+ approximately Co2+) sequence [HE/AEAH]4 (Tx) has been recently identified in the NH2-terminal variable region of troponin T (TnT) isoforms specifically expressed in the breast but not leg muscles of the avian orders of Galliformes and Craciformes [Jin, J.-P., & Smillie, L. B. (1994) FEBS Lett. 341, 135-140]. In the present study, two expression plasmids were constructed to produce chicken TnT1 NH2-terminal fragments of 47 (N47) or 165 (N165) amino acids containing the Tx metal-binding cluster. The recombinant protein/peptide was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)pLysS and purified by a highly effective Zn(2+)-affinity chromatography method. Amino acid analyses, NH2-terminal peptide sequencing, mass spectrometry and immunological identification confirmed the authenticity of the genetically engineered TnT fragments. In the presence of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, transition metals had significant effects on the secondary structure of TnT fragment N47, as shown by circular dichroism. N165 in non-denaturing buffer demonstrated alpha-helical content comparable to previous data from rabbit fast skeletal TnT fragment T1. Zn(2+)-binding avidity of the metal-binding TnT and its fragments demonstrated tertiary relationships between the NH2-terminal variable region and the COOH-terminal segment of the intact TnT protein. Solid-phase protein-binding assays established that Zn(2+)-binding to the Tx cluster induces epitopic structure changes in this NH2-terminal segment, further affecting other epitopic structures of intact TnT as well as the function of TnT's tropomyosin binding-sites. The results demonstrate that metal ion-binding to the Tx cluster reconfigures the overall conformation of TnT through structural relationships between the NH2-terminal variable region and other domains of the intact TnT molecule. Accordingly, the developmental and/or muscle type specific NH2-terminal structure of TnT isoforms may modulate the Ca(2+)-activation of muscle contraction.

An alternative RNA splicing-generated cardiac troponin T (cTnT) isoform switching has been found during both avian and mammalian heart development. The present study demonstrates that the mouse cTnT isoform switching is approximately 10 days earlier than that in rat during perinatal heart development. The mouse cTnT isoform switching is also approximately 10 days earlier than the transcriptionally regulated troponin I (TnI) isoform switching, a transition that showed similar timing during mouse and rat heart development. In addition, synchronized cTnT and TnI switches are observed during both rat and chicken heart development. More interestingly, the expression of cTnT in both mouse and rat neonatal skeletal muscles showed an isoform transition pattern synchronized with the cTnT isoform switching in the neonatal heart of the corresponding species. The results suggest that the alternative RNA splicing-generated cTnT isoform switching during development is (a) not a direct response to the functional changes in perinatal myocardium and (b) not a restricted regulation in the heart, but is controlled by a species-specific programming that is synchronized in developing cardiac and skeletal muscles.

We have isolated 52 mouse cardiac troponin-T-encoding cDNA clones (TnT) by specific antibody screening of a lambda ZAPII expression library. Sequencing data from the large sample of independent cDNAs demonstrated relationships among the expression of four alternatively-spliced exons of the cardiac TnT gene, producing seven classes of cDNAs encoding four protein isoforms differing in two variable regions. In the N-terminal variable region and next to the embryonic-specific exon 4, an alternatively spliced exon 3a was identified in 20% of the adult isoforms. The alternatively spliced exon 12, corresponding to a central variable region between the two functional domains of TnT, was found in approx. 79% of the 52 mouse cardiac TnT cDNAs with a single base mutation completely abolishing the splicing at an internal acceptor site. Three novel alternative splicing acceptor sites in the 5'-untranslated portion of exon 2 have been identified with different frequencies.

By specific antibody screening of a lambda ZAPII expression library, we identified a class of cDNAs derived from mouse cardiac troponin T (TnT) mRNA with long 5'-ends containing the -30 TATA sequence of the promoter. These long mRNAs indicated the presence of a novel upstream transcription initiation site in the cardiac TnT gene. Primer extension mapping of the mouse cardiac TnT mRNA confirmed an alternative transcription initiation site 55-base pairs upstream of the major initiation site. The upstream initiation site was found significantly more active in the embryonic/neonatal hearts. Genomic cloning and sequencing further revealed an 1.5-kb 5'-upstream sequence of the mouse cardiac TnT gene and relationships between the promoter regulatory elements and the alternative transcription initiation sites.

A repeating metal-binding (Cu2+ > Ni2+ > Zn2+ approximately Co2+) sequence (HE/AEAH)4 has been identified in troponin T isoforms specifically expressed in the breast but not leg muscles of all Galliformes and Craciformes. It is absent in the skeletal and cardiac muscles of mammals and all other avian species investigated. Concentration of the metal-binding sites is adequate to affect free metal levels in the muscle cell and we suggest a possible link between its presence in breast muscle of Galliformes and the high ratio of breast muscle to total body muscle mass and explosive but short-lived flight pattern of these birds. This sequence can be used for a highly selective metal-affinity chromatographic purification of muscle or engineered TnTs even in high salt and/or urea.

We have previously demonstrated that rat cardiac troponin T (TnT) is expressed as two different isoforms during development, the larger, more acidic embryonic isoform and the smaller, more basic adult isoform, which appear to be generated from a common transcript of the cardiac TnT gene by alternative RNA splicing. In this study, Southern blot analysis confirmed the existence of a single copy of cardiac TnT gene in the rat genome. For investigation of the molecular mechanism of isoform switch and the control of this gene expression in myocardial development, several overlapping genomic clones were isolated from a rat genomic library. Complete nucleotide sequences were determined from these genomic clones and revealed a 19,186 base-pair DNA fragment containing 16 exons of rat cardiac TnT gene. Its DNA sequence and exon organization appeared to differ from that of the rat fast skeletal muscle TnT gene or chicken cardiac TnT gene. Comparison of genomic and cDNA clones also confirmed that the cardiac TnT isoform switching was due to the inclusion or exclusion of exon 4 during RNA processing. Sequence analysis allowed us to further identify the other alternatively spliced exon containing only nine nucleotides in size (exon 12). The inclusion and complete or partial exclusion of this exon may be responsible for generating three classes of mRNAs detected by our cDNA clones. The functional significance of this variation in TnT isoforms remained unknown, but its splicing pattern did not appear to link to the developmental changes. The 5' upstream structure was very similar to that in chicken cardiac TnT gene but differed from that in the rat fast skeletal muscle TnT gene, suggesting a similar regulatory mechanism for mammalian and avian cardiac TnT expression.

We have previously reported that troponin T (TnT), a regulatory protein in muscle contraction, undergoes a switch from the larger, acidic embryonic form to the smaller, basic adult form during rat heart development (Jin, J.-P., and Lin, J.J.-C. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 7309-7315). To investigate the significance and the molecular mechanism of this isoform switching, cDNA clones encoding rat cardiac TnT were obtained by screening a cDNA library constructed from young rat cardiac poly(A)+ RNAs using the expression vector lambda gt11. Clone RCT10 proved to be a full length clone containing 50 base pairs (bp) of 5'-untranslated sequence, 870 bp of coding sequence, and 196 bp plus poly(A) tail at the 3'-untranslated region. In the other cDNA clone (RCT11), the entire 3'-untranslated sequence and most of the coding sequence were identical with that of RCT10, but an additional 30-bp insert was present in the coding region from residues 18 to 27. This insertion sequence appeared to code for a fragment (EDWSEEEEDE) highly enriched in acidic amino acid residues. Thus, RCT11 might represent a clone encoding the embryonic isoform of rat cardiac TnT. S1 nuclease RNA mapping analysis using end-labeled RCT11 cDNA probes confirmed that this region of the sequence is different in embryonic and adult isoform mRNAs. These results suggest that both embryonic and adult isoforms of rat cardiac TnT are generated from the same primary transcript by developmentally regulated alternative splicing. The amino acid sequence deduced from RCT10 cDNA exhibits 87%, 85%, and 72% homology with bovine, rabbit, and chicken cardiac TnTs, respectively, but less homology (57-59%) with the known skeletal TnTs from human, rat, rabbit, and chicken. Moreover, both the 5'- and the 3'-untranslated sequences of rat cardiac TnT mRNA are completely different from those reported for rat skeletal TnT mRNA, suggesting that rat cardiac TnT is coded from a gene distinct from the rat skeletal TnT gene.

A rapid purification of troponin T from adult hearts of various species has been developed. The purification procedure included 60 degrees C treatment of the high salt extract, ammonium sulfate fractionation, and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The troponin T purified from the bovine left ventricle contained two isoforms, which differed in both apparent molecular mass and isoelectric point. Both isoforms were able to bind to F-actin filaments only in the presence of tropomyosin. Monoclonal antibody JLT12 against rabbit skeletal troponin T cross-reacted with both isoforms of bovine cardiac troponin T. There was no detectable difference in the relative amount of these two isoforms among different portions (atria, right and left ventricles) of the bovine heart. The purified protein was used as an antigen to immunize mice, and a mouse antiserum with high titer and specificity to both isoforms was subsequently obtained. This antiserum also cross-reacted with cardiac troponin T from chicken, rabbit, and rat. The antibodies were further used to probe cardiac development in rats by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation. The results clearly showed that there was a switch of troponin T isoforms between hearts from 20-day-old rat embryos and hearts from 14-day-old rats. Immunoprecipitation of the in vitro translation products of poly(A)+ RNA isolated from day 5 rat hearts revealed the presence of two isoforms of troponin T, suggesting that two mRNAs coding for these two isoforms existed in the heart cells. It is of interest to not that some profound changes in the morphology and function of cardiac muscle have also been detected at this time of development. Troponin T isoform switching thus may well represent an important marker for cardiac development and function.

Troponin T (TnT) is the thin filament anchoring subunit of troponin complex and plays an organizer role in the Ca2+-regulation of striated muscle contraction. From an ancestral gene emerged ~ 700 million years ago in Bilateria, three homologous genes have evolved in vertebrates to encode muscle type-specific isoforms of TnT. Alternative splicing variants of TnT are present in vertebrate and invertebrate muscles to add functional diversity. While the C-terminal region of TnT is largely conserved, it contains an alternatively spliced segment emerged early in C. elegans, which has evolved into a pair of mutually exclusive exons in arthropods (10A and 10B of Drosophila TpnT gene) and vertebrates (16 and 17 of fast skeletal muscle Tnnt3 gene). The C-terminal alternatively spliced segment of TnT interfaces with the other two subunits of troponin with functional significance. The vertebrate cardiac TnT gene that emerged from duplication of the fast TnT gene has eliminated this alternative splicing by the fixation of an exon 17-like constitutive exon, indicating a functional value in slower and rhythmic contractions. The vertebrate slow skeletal muscle TnT gene that emerged from duplication of the cardiac TnT gene has the exon 17-like structure conserved, indicating its further function in sustained and fatigue resistant contractions. This functionality-based evolution is consistent with the finding that exon 10B-encoded segment of Drosophila TnT homologous to the exon 17-encoded segment of vertebrate fast TnT is selectively expressed in insect heart and leg muscles. The evolution of the C-terminal variable region of TnT demonstrates a submolecular mechanism in modifying striated muscle contractility and for the treatment of muscle and heart diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Troponin T (TnT) is the sarcomeric thin filament anchoring subunit of the troponin complex in striated muscles. A nonsense mutation in exon 11 of the slow skeletal muscle isoform of TnT (ssTnT) gene (TNNT1) was found in the Amish populations in Pennsylvania and Ohio. This single nucleotide substitution causes a truncation of the ssTnT protein at Glu180 and the loss of the C-terminal tropomyosin (Tm)-binding site 2. As a consequence, it abolishes the myofilament integration of ssTnT and the loss of function causes an autosomal recessive nemaline myopathy (NM). More TNNT1 mutations have recently been reported in non-Amish ethnic groups with similar recessive NM phenotypes. A nonsense mutation in exon 9 truncates ssTnT at Ser108, deleting Tm-binding site 2 and a part of the middle region Tm-binding site 1. Two splicing site mutations result in truncation of ssTnT at Leu203 or deletion of the exon 14-encoded C-terminal end segment. Another splicing mutation causes an internal deletion of the 39 amino acids encoded by exon 8, partially damaging Tm-binding site 1. The three splicing mutations of TNNT1 all preserve the high affinity Tm-binding site 2 but still present recessive NM phenotypes. The molecular mechanisms for these mutations to cause myopathy provide interesting models to study and understand the structure-function relationship of TnT. This focused review summarizes the current knowledge of TnT isoform regulation, structure-function relationship of TnT and how various ssTnT mutations cause recessive NM, in order to promote in depth studies for further understanding the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of TNNT1 myopathies toward the development of effective treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Troponin T (TnT) is a central player in the calcium regulation of actin thin filament function and is essential for the contraction of striated muscles. Three homologous genes have evolved in vertebrates to encode three muscle type-specific TnT isoforms: TNNT1 for slow skeletal muscle TnT, TNNT2 for cardiac muscle TnT, and TNNT3 for fast skeletal muscle TnT. Alternative splicing and posttranslational modifications confer additional structural and functional variations of TnT during development and muscle adaptation to various physiological and pathological conditions. This review focuses on the TnT isoform genes and their molecular evolution, alternative splicing, developmental regulation, structure–function relationships of TnT proteins, posttranslational modifications, and myopathic mutations and abnormal splicing. The goal is to provide a concise summary of the current knowledge and some perspectives for future research and translational applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background-Mutations in thin-filament proteins have been linked to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but it has never been demonstrated that variants identified in the TNNC1 (gene encoding troponin C) can evoke cardiac remodeling in vivo. The goal of this study was to determine whether TNNC1 can be categorized as an hypertrophic cardiomyopathy susceptibility gene, such that a mouse model can recapitulate the clinical presentation of the proband. Methods and Results--The TNNC1-A8V proband diagnosed with severe obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at 34 years of age exhibited mild-to-moderate thickening in left and right ventricular walls, decreased left ventricular dimensions, left atrial enlargement, and hyperdynamic left ventricular systolic function. Genetically engineered knock-in (KI) mice containing the A8V mutation (heterozygote=KI-TnC-A8V+/-; homozygote=KI-TnC-A8V+/+) were characterized by echocardiography and pressure-volume studies. Three-month-old KI-TnC-A8V+/+ mice displayed decreased ventricular dimensions, mild diastolic dysfunction, and enhanced systolic function, whereas KI-TnC-A8V+/- mice displayed cardiac restriction at 14 months of age. KI hearts exhibited atrial enlargement, papillary muscle hypertrophy, and fibrosis. Liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy was used to determine incorporation of mutant cardiac troponin C (≈21%) into the KI-TnC-A8V+/- cardiac myofilament. Reduced diastolic sarcomeric length, increased shortening, and prolonged Ca2+ and contractile transients were recorded in intact KI-TnC-A8V+/- and KI-TnC-A8V+/+ cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ sensitivity of contraction in skinned fibers increased with mutant gene dose: KI-TnC-A8V+/+>KI-TnC-A8V+/->wild-type, whereas KI-TnC-A8V+/+ relaxed more slowly on flash photolysis of diazo-2. Conclusions--The TNNC1-A8V mutant increases the Ca2+-binding affinity of the thin filament and elicits changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and cellular remodeling, which leads to diastolic dysfunction. These in vivo alterations further implicate the role of TNNC1 mutations in the development of cardiomyopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The troponin complex plays a central role in the contraction and relaxation of striated muscle by enacting Ca2+-regulated allosteric changes in the sarcomeric thin filaments. The troponin T subunit (TnT) contains two binding sites for tropomyosin (Tm) and is responsible for anchoring the troponin complex to the thin filament. While the amino acid sequences of the regions containing the Tm-binding sites are highly conserved among the three muscle type isoforms of TnT, previous studies have observed significant discrepancies in the affinity of Tm-binding site 1 in the chymotryptic fragment T1 of different TnT isoforms. Here we cross-examined the Tm-binding affinity of TnT isoforms and molecular engineered fragments using affinity chromatography and microplate protein binding assays to investigate the effects of the evolutionary diverged N-terminal region that is significantly variable among muscle type isoforms. The results demonstrated that the C-terminal T2 fragment of TnT containing the Tm-binding site 2 had similarly high affinity across isoforms. In the absence of the N-terminal variable region, Tm-binding site 1 in the conserved middle region of TnT also exhibited high intrinsic affinity. The presence of isoform specific N-terminal variable region differentially reduced the binding affinity of TnT for Tm, primarily at binding site 1 in the middle region. These findings indicate that the N-terminal variable region of TnT plays a pivotal role in the functional difference of muscle typespecific isoforms and the developmental and pathogenic splice variants by modulating the interaction with Tm during Ca2+ regulation of cardiac and skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac troponin I (TnI) has an NH2-terminal extension that is an adult heart-specific regulatory structure. Restrictive proteolytic truncation of the NH2-terminal extension of cardiac TnI occurs in normal hearts and is upregulated in cardiac adaptation to hemodynamic stress or β-adrenergic deficiency. NH2-terminal truncated cardiac TnI (cTnI-ND) alters the conformation of the core structure of cardiac TnI similarly to that produced by PKA phosphorylation of Ser23/24 in the NH2-terminal extension. At organ level, cTnI-ND enhances ventricular diastolic function. The NH2-terminal region of cardiac troponin T (TnT) is another regulatory structure that can be selectively cleaved via restrictive proteolysis. Structural variations in the NH2-terminal region of TnT also alter the molecular conformation and function. Transgenic mouse hearts expressing NH2-terminal truncated cardiac TnT (cTnT-ND) showed slower contractile velocity to prolong ventricular rapid-ejection time, resulting in higher stroke volume. Our present study compared the effects of cTnI-ND and cTnT-ND in cardiomyocytes isolated from transgenic mice on cellular morphology, contractility, and calcium kinetics. Resting cTnI-ND, but not cTnT-ND, cardiomyocytes had shorter length than wild-type cells with no change in sarcomere length. cTnI-ND, but not cTnT-ND, cardiomyocytes produced higher contractile amplitude and faster shortening and relengthening velocities in the absence of external load than wild-type controls. Although the baseline and peak levels of cytosolic Ca2+ were not changed, Ca2+ resequestration was faster in both cTnI-ND and cTnT-ND cardiomyocytes than in wild-type control. The distinct effects of cTnI-ND and cTnT-ND demonstrate their roles in selectively modulating diastolic or systolic functions of the heart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The α-helix in troponin I (TnI) at the interface with troponin T (TnT) is a highly conserved structure. A point mutation in this region, A116G, was found in human cardiac TnI in a case of cardiomyopathy. An adjacent dominantly negative mutation found in turkey cardiac TnI (R111C, equivalent to K117C in human and K118C in mouse) decreased diastolic function and blunted beta-adrenergic response in transgenic mice. To investigate the functional importance of the TnI–TnT interface and pathological impact of the cardiac TnI mutations, we engineered K118C and A117G mutations in mouse cardiac TnI for functional studies. Despite their adjacent locations, A117G substitution results in faster mobility of cardiac TnI in SDS–PAGE whereas K118C decreases gel mobility, indicating significant and distinct changes in overall protein conformation. Consistently, monoclonal antibody epitope analysis demonstrated distinct local and remote conformational alterations in the two mutant proteins. Protein binding assays showed that K118C, but not A117G, decreased the relative binding affinity of cardiac TnI for TnT. K118C mutation decreased binding affinity for troponin C in a Ca 2+ -dependent manner, whereas A117G had a similar but less profound effect. Protein kinase A phosphorylation or truncation to remove the cardiac specific N-terminal extension of cardiac TnI resulted in similar conformational changes in the region interfacing with TnT and minimized the functional impacts of the mutations. The data demonstrate potent conformational and functional impacts of the TnT-interfacing helix in TnI and suggest a role of the N-terminal extension of cardiac TnI in modulating TnI–TnT interface functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We previously reported a point mutation substituting Cys for Arg111 in the highly conserved troponin T (TnT)-contacting helix of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in wild turkey hearts (Biesiadecki et al. J Biol Chem 279: 13825-13832, 2004). This dominantly negative TnI-TnT interface mutation decreases the binding affinity of cTnI for TnT, impairs diastolic function, and blunts the β-adrenergic response of cardiac muscle (Wei et al. J Biol Chem 285: 27806-27816, 2010). Here we further investigate cellular phenotypes of transgenic mouse cardiomyocytes expressing the equivalent mutation cTnI-K118C. Functional studies were performed on single adult cardiomyocytes after recovery in short-term culture from isolation stress. The amplitude of contraction and the velocities of shortening and relengthening were lower in cTnI-K118C cardiomyocytes than wild-type controls. The intracellular Ca2+ transient was slower in cTnI-K118C cardiomyocytes than wild-type cells. cTnI-K118C cardiomyocytes also showed a weaker β-adrenergic response. The resting length of cTnI-K118C cardiomyocytes was significantly greater than that of age-matched wild-type cells, with no difference in cell width. The resting sarcomere was not longer, but slightly shorter, in cTnI-K118C cardiomyocytes than wild-type cells, indicating longitudinal addition of sarcomeres. More tri- and quadrinuclei cardiomyocytes were found in TnI-K118C than wild-type hearts, suggesting increased nuclear divisions. Whole-genome mRNA array and Western blots detected an increased expression of leukemia inhibitory factor receptor-β in the hearts of 2-mo-old cTnI-K118C mice, suggesting a signaling pathway responsible for the potent effect of cTnI-K118C mutation on early remodeling in cardiomyocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We recently demonstrated the abundant presence of cardiomyocytes in the wall of thoracic veins of adult mouse and rat. The highly differentiated morphology and myofilament protein contents of the venous cardiomyocytes suggested contractile functions. Here we further investigated the contractility of mouse and rat azygos venous rings compared with that of atrial strips and ventricular papillary muscle. 5-Bromo-4-chloro-indolylgalactopyranoside (X-gal) staining of transgenic mouse vessels expressing lacZ under a cloned cardiac troponin T promoter demonstrated that the venous cardiomyocytes are discontinuous from atrial myocardium and aligned in the wall of thoracic veins perpendicular to the vessel axis. Histological sections displayed sarcomeric striations in the venous cardiomyocytes, which indicate an encirclement orientation of myofibrils in the vessel wall. Mechanical studies found that the rings of mouse and rat azygos vein produce strong cardiac type twitch contractions when stimulated with electrical pacing in contrast to the weak and slow smooth muscle contractions induced using 90 mM KCl. The twitch contraction and relaxation of mouse azygos veins further exhibited a cardiac type of adrenergic responses. Quantitative comparison showed that the contractions of venous cardiomyocytes are slightly slower than those of atrium muscle but significantly faster than those of ventricular papillary muscle. These novel findings indicate that the cardiomyocytes abundant in the wall of rodent thoracic veins possess fully differentiated cardiac muscle phenotype despite their anatomical and functional segregations from the heart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points Loss of slow skeletal muscle troponin T (ssTnT) due to a nonsense mutation in codon Glu180 causes a lethal form of recessively inherited nemaline myopathy., We studied the phenotypes of partial and total loss of ssTnT in the diaphragm and soleus muscles of Tnnt1 gene targeted mice., ssTnT deficiency resulted in significant decreases in other slow fibre-specific myofilament proteins whereas fast fibre-specific myofilament proteins were increased correspondingly., ssTnT deficiency produced significantly smaller type I slow fibres and compensatory growth of type II fast fibres with significantly reduced contractile force and tolerance to fatigue., ssTnT-deficient soleus muscle exhibited a significant numbers of small-sized central nuclei type I fibres, indicating regeneration., The data support the critical role of ssTnT in skeletal muscle function and the causal effect of its loss on the pathogenesis of nemaline myopathy., Abstract The total loss of slow skeletal muscle troponin T (ssTnT encoded by TNNT1 gene) due to a nonsense mutation in codon Glu180 causes a lethal form of recessively inherited nemaline myopathy (Amish nemaline myopathy, ANM). To investigate the pathogenesis and muscle pathophysiology of ANM, we studied the phenotypes of partial and total loss of ssTnT in Tnnt1 gene targeted mice. An insertion of neomycin resistance cassette in intron 10 of Tnnt1 gene caused an approximately 60% decrease in ssTnT protein expression whereas cre- loxP-mediated deletion of exons 11-13 resulted in total loss of ssTnT, as seen in ANM muscles. In diaphragm and soleus muscles of the knockdown and knockout mouse models, we demonstrated that ssTnT deficiency resulted in significantly decreased levels of other slow fibre-specific myofilament proteins whereas fast fibre-specific myofilament proteins were increased correspondingly. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that ssTnT deficiency produced significantly smaller type I slow fibres and compensatory growth of type II fast fibres. Along with the slow fibre atrophy and the changes in myofilament protein isoform contents, ssTnT deficiency significantly reduced the tolerance to fatigue in soleus muscle. ssTnT-deficient soleus muscle also contains significant numbers of small-sized central nuclei type I fibres, indicating active regeneration. The data provide strong support for the essential role of ssTnT in skeletal muscle function and the causal effect of its loss in the pathology of ANM. This observation further supports the hypothesis that the function of slow fibres can be restored in ANM patients if a therapeutic supplement of ssTnT is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We previously reported that a restrictive N‐terminal truncation of cardiac troponin I (cTnI‐ND) is up‐regulated in the heart in adaptation to hemodynamic stresses. Over‐expression of cTnI‐ND in the hearts of transgenic mice revealed functional benefits such as increased relaxation and myocardial compliance. In the present study, we investigated the subsequent effect on myocardial remodeling. The alpha‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) isoform is normally expressed in differentiating cardiomyocytes and is a marker for myocardial hypertrophy in adult hearts. Our results show that in cTnI‐ND transgenic mice of between 2 and 3 months of age (young adults), a significant level of α‐SMA is expressed in the heart as compared with wild‐type animals. Although blood vessel density was increased in the cTnI‐ND heart, the mass of smooth muscle tissue did not correlate with the increased level of α‐SMA. Instead, immunocytochemical staining and Western blotting of protein extracts from isolated cardiomyocytes identified cardiomyocytes as the source of increased α‐SMA in cTnI‐ND hearts. We further found that while a portion of the up‐regulated α‐SMA protein was incorporated into the sarcomeric thin filaments, the majority of SMA protein was found outside of myofibrils. This distribution pattern suggests dual functions for the up‐regulated α‐SMA as both a contractile component to affect contractility and as possible effector of early remodeling in non‐hypertrophic, non‐failing cTnI‐ND hearts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Our aim was to explore the dose-dependent diastolic dysfunction and the mechanisms of heart failure and early death in transgenic (TG) mice modeling human restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). The first RCM mouse model (cTnI193His mice) carrying cardiac troponin I (cTnI) R193H mutation (mouse cTnI R193H equals to human cTnI R192H) was generated several years ago in our laboratory. The RCM mice manifested a phenotype similar to that observed in RCM patients carrying the same cTnI mutation, i.e. enlarged atria and restricted ventricles. However, the causes of heart failure and early death observed in RCM mice remain unclear. In this study, we have produced RCM TG mice (cTnI193His-L, cTnI193His-M and cTnI193His-H) that express various levels of mutant cTnI in the heart. Histological examination and echocardiography were performed on these mice to monitor the time course of the disease development and heart failure. Our data demonstrate that cTnI mutation-caused diastolic dysfunction is dose-dependent. The key mechanism is myofibril hypersensitivity to Ca2+ resulting in an impaired relaxation in the mutant cardiac myocytes. Prolonged relaxation time and delay of Ca2+ decay observed in the mutant cardiac myocytes are correlated with the level of the mutant protein in the heart. Markedly enlarged atria due to the elevated end-diastolic pressure and myocardial ischemia are observed in the heart of the transgenic mice. In the mice with the highest level of the mutant protein, restricted ventricles and systolic dysfunction occur followed immediately by heart failure and early death. Diastolic dysfunction caused by R193H troponin I mutation is specific, showing a dose-dependent pattern. These mouse models are useful tools for the study of diastolic dysfunction. Impaired diastole can cause myocardial ischemia and fibrosis formation, resulting in the development of systolic dysfunction and heart failure with early death in the RCM mice with a high level of the mutant protein in the heart. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Several cardiac troponin I (cTnI) mutations are associated with restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) in humans. We have created transgenic mice (cTnI193His mice) that express the corresponding human RCM R192H mutation. Phenotype of this RCM animal model includes restrictive ventricles, biatrial enlargement and sudden cardiac death, which are similar to those observed in RCM patients carrying the same cTnI mutation. In the present study, we modified the overall cTnI in cardiac muscle by crossing cTnI193His mice with transgenic mice expressing an N-terminal truncated cTnI (cTnI-ND) that enhances relaxation. Protein analyses determined that wild type cTnI was replaced by cTnI-ND in the heart of double transgenic mice (Double TG), which express only cTnI-ND and cTnI R193H in cardiac myocytes. The presence of cTnI-ND effectively rescued the lethal phenotype of RCM mice by reducing the mortality rate. Cardiac function was significantly improved in Double TG mice when measured by echocardiography. The hypersensitivity to Ca2+ and the prolonged relaxation of RCM cTnI193His cardiac myocytes were completely reversed by the presence of cTnI-ND in RCM hearts. The results demonstrate that myofibril hypersensitivity to Ca2+ is a key mechanism that causes impaired relaxation in RCM cTnI mutant hearts and Ca2+ desensitization by cTnI-ND can correct diastolic dysfunction and rescue the RCM phenotypes, suggesting that Ca2+ desensitization in myofibrils is a therapeutic option for treatment of diastolic dysfunction without interventions directed at the systemic β-adrenergic-PKA pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The highly organized contractile machinery in skeletal and cardiac muscles requires an assembly of myofilament proteins with stringent stoichiometry. To understand the maintenance of myofilament protein stoichiometry under dynamic protein synthesis and catabolism in muscle cells, we investigated the equilibrium of troponin I (TnI) in mouse cardiac muscle during developmental isoform switching and in under- and over-expression models. Compared with the course of developmental TnI isoform switching in normal hearts, the postnatal presence of slow skeletal muscle TnI lasted significantly longer in the hearts of cardiac TnI (cTnI) knockout (cTnI-KO) mice, in which the diminished synthesis was compensated by prolonging the life of myofilamental TnI. Transgenic postnatal expression of an N-terminal truncated cTnI (cTnI-ND) using α-myosin heavy chain promoter effectively rescued the lethality of cTnI-KO mice and shortened the postnatal presence of slow TnI in cardiac muscle. cTnI-KO mice rescued with different levels of cTnI-ND over-expression exhibited similar levels of myocardial TnI comparable to that in wild type hearts, demonstrating that excessive synthesis would not increase TnI stoichiometry in the myofilaments. Consistently, haploid under-expression of cTnI in heterozygote cTnI-KO mice was sufficient to sustain the normal level of myocardial cTnI, indicating that cTnI is synthesized in excess in wild type cardiomyocytes. Altogether, these observations suggest that under wide ranges of protein synthesis and turnover, myofilament incorporation determines the stoichiometry of troponin subunits in muscle cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]