Activation of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase modulates cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel function

Mol Pharmacol. 2009 Apr;75(4):774-81. doi: 10.1124/mol.108.052597. Epub 2009 Jan 2.

Abstract

Cellular Ca(2+) signaling underlies diverse vital biological processes, including muscle contractility, memory encoding, fertilization, cell survival, and cell death. Despite extensive studies, the fundamental control mechanisms that regulate intracellular Ca(2+) movement remain enigmatic. We have found recently that activation of the (Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase markedly potentiates intracellular Ca(2+) transients and contractility of rat heart cells. Little is known about the pathway responsible for the activation of the (Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase-initiated Ca(2+) signaling. Here, we demonstrate a novel mechanism in which activation of the (Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase is coupled to increased L-type Ca(2+) channel function through a signaling cascade involving Src and ERK1/2 but not well established regulators of the channel, such as adrenergic receptor system or activation of PKA or CaMKII. We have also identified Ser(1928), a phosphorylation site for the alpha1 subunit of the L-type Ca(2+) channel that may participate in the activation of the (Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase-mediated Ca(2+) signaling. The findings reported here uncover a novel molecular cross-talk between activation of the (Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase and L-type Ca(2+) channel and provide new insights into Ca(2+) signaling mechanisms for deeper understanding of the nature of cellular Ca(2+) handling in heart.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / physiology*
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology
  • Enzyme Activation / physiology
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / enzymology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / metabolism*
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / physiology

Substances

  • Calcium Channels, L-Type
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase