Mitochondrial calpain-5 truncates caspase-4 during endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Calpains are cysteine proteases activated in response to intracellular calcium signaling. Activated calpains regulate various cellular functions by degrading substrate molecules in a site-specific manner. Although most calpains are localized in the cytosol, we previously reported that calpain-5 exists in the mitochondria. The mitochondrial calpain-5 is activated during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. However, the substrate of calpain-5, as well as the physiological significance of calpain-5 activation, has not yet been elucidated. In the present study, we treated HeLa cells with A23187, tunicamycin, or hydrogen peroxide to induce intracellular calcium increase, resulting in cell death. The cells treated with A23187 or tunicamycin exhibited the activation of calpain-5 and truncation of caspase-4. The truncation of caspase-4 was inhibited by the repression of calpain-5 expression with the appropriate siRNA. Additionally, both calpain-5 and caspase-4 were observed in the mitochondria. Our study is the first to demonstrate that the activation of mitochondrial calpain-5 triggers the truncation of caspase-4, suggesting that mitochondrial calpain-5 regulates the downstream pathway of caspase-4, including cell death and the inflammatory cascade. The results of the present study provide new insights into ER-stress-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and cancer. These perspectives allow us to propose new therapeutic strategies such as the development of inhibitors or activators of calpain-5, which may be useful in the development of treatment for ER-stress-related diseases.

Isomer-Selective Spectroscopy and Dynamics of Phenol-Arn (n ≤ 5) Clusters.

Structures and ionization-induced solvation dynamics of phenol-(argon)n clusters, PhOH-Arn (n ≤ 5), were studied by using a variety of isomer-selective photoionization and vibrational spectroscopic techniques. Several higher-energy isomers were found and assigned for the first time by systematically controlling the experimental conditions of the supersonic expansion. This behavior is also confirmed for the PhOH-Kr2 cluster. Solvation structures are elucidated by evaluating systematic shifts in the S1 ← S0 origin and ionization energies obtained by resonance-enhanced photoionization, in addition to the OH stretching frequency obtained by IR photodissociation. Isomer-selective picosecond time-resolved IR spectroscopy for the n = 2 clusters revealed that the dynamics for the ionization-induced intermolecular π → H site-switching reaction strongly depends on the initial isomeric structure. In particular, the reaction time for the (1|1) isomer is 7 ps, while that for (2|0) is <3 ps. This difference shows that the switching time is determined by the distance of the reaction coordinate between the initial π-site and the final OH-site.

Photoionization-induced π↔ H site switching dynamics in phenol(+)-Rg (Rg = Ar, Kr) dimers probed by picosecond time-resolved infrared spectroscopy.

The ionization-induced π↔ H site switching reaction in phenol(+)-Rg (PhOH(+)-Rg) dimers with Rg = Ar and Kr is traced in real time by picosecond time-resolved infrared (ps-TRIR) spectroscopy. The ps-TRIR spectra show the prompt appearance of the non-vanishing free OH stretching band upon resonant photoionization of the π-bound neutral clusters, and the delayed appearance of the hydrogen-bonded (H-bonded) OH stretching band. This result directly proves that the Rg ligand switches from the π-bound site on the aromatic ring to the H-bonded site at the OH group by ionization. The subsequent H →π back reaction converges the dimer to a π↔ H equilibrium. This result is in sharp contrast to the single-step π→ H forward reaction in the PhOH(+)-Ar2 trimer with 100% yield. The reaction mechanism and yield strongly depend on intracluster vibrational energy redistribution. A classical rate equation analysis for the time evolutions of the band intensities of the two vibrations results in similar estimates for the time constants of the π→ H forward reaction of τ+ = 122 and 73 ps and the H →π back reaction of τ- = 155 and 188 ps for PhOH(+)-Ar and PhOH(+)-Kr, respectively. The one order of magnitude slower time constant in comparison to the PhOH(+)-Ar2 trimer (τ+ = 7 ps) is attributed to the decrease in density of states due to the absence of the second Ar in the dimer. The similar time constants for both PhOH(+)-Rg dimers are well rationalized by a classical interpretation based on the comparable potential energy surfaces, reaction pathways, and density of states arising from their similar intermolecular vibrational frequencies.

Cholinergic involvement and synaptic dynamin 1 expression in Yokukansan-mediated improvement of spatial memory in a rat model of early Alzheimer's disease.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Yokukansan (YKS) on the impairment of spatial memory and cholinergic involvement in a rat model of early-phase Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this model, rats underwent four-vessel transient cerebral ischemia and then were treated with beta amyloid oligomers injected intracerebroventricularly once daily for 7 days. These animals showed memory impairment in an eight-arm radial maze task without histological evidence of apoptosis but with a decrease in expression of hippocampal dynamin 1, an important factor in synaptic vesicle endocytosis. Oral administration of YKS for 2 weeks significantly increased the number of correct choices and decreased the number of error choices in the eight-arm radial maze task (P < 0.05). Moreover, YKS significantly increased high K⁺-evoked potentiation of acetylcholine (ACh) release (P < 0.05) and significantly increased the expression of dynamin 1 (P < 0.01) in the hippocampus. The ameliorative effect of YKS on spatial memory impairment in our rat model of early-phase AD may be mediated in part by an increase in ACh release and modulation of dynamin 1 expression, leading to improved synaptic function. Future studies will determine whether YKS is similarly useful in the treatment of memory defects in patients diagnosed with early-stage AD.

Effects of yokukansan on anxiety-like behavior in a rat model of cerebrovascular dementia.

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are commonly seen in patients with dementia. Current pharmacological approaches to treatment are inadequate, despite the availability of serotonergic agents to ameliorate anxiety, one of the symptoms of BPSD. The herbal medicine yokukansan has been demonstrated to improve BPSD in a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled study. However, the mechanisms of the anxiolytic effect of yokukansan have not been clarified. There are also no reports on the anxiolytic effect of yokukansan in cerebrovascular ischemia models. In this study, we examined whether rats subjected to repeated cerebral ischemia exhibited anxiety-like behavior in a plus-maze task, a light/dark box test and an open-field task. We then investigated the effect of yokukansan on anxiety-like behavior in ischemic rats. Repeated ischemia was induced by the four-vessel occlusion method in which a 10-min ischemic episode was repeated once after 60 min. Yokukansan was orally administered once a day for 14 days from 7 days before ischemia induction. The last administration was performed 1 h before the behavioral experiments. The ischemic rats showed anxiety-like behavior in all three tasks, suggesting that this rat may be a good model for anxiety in cerebrovascular dementia. Yokukansan exhibited anxiolytic effects on the anxiety-like behavior in rats subjected to repeated cerebral ischemia, and exerted antagonistic effects on the wet-dog shakes induced by 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-indophenyl)-2-amino propane, a serotonin receptor (5-HT(2A)) agonist. This study revealed that yokukansan shows anxiolytic effects not only in normal animals but also in cerebrovascular model rats.

Transcoronary gene transfer of SERCA2a increases coronary blood flow and decreases cardiomyocyte size in a type 2 diabetic rat model.

The Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty rat is an animal model of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), which is characterized by diastolic dysfunction associated with decreased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2a). The aim of this study was to examine whether gene transfer of SERCA2a can influence coronary blood flow and cardiomyocyte diameter in this model. DM rats were injected with adenovirus carrying SERCA2a (DM+SERCA) or beta-galactosidase gene (DM+betaGal). Coronary blood flow was measured in cross-circulated excised hearts 3 days after infection. Although in all groups coronary blood flow remained unchanged even if left ventricular (LV) volume or intracoronary Ca(2+) infusion was increased, the DM+SERCA group showed a sustained increase in coronary blood flow compared with the other groups. This result suggests that the sustained high coronary blood flow is a specific response in SERCA2a-overexpressed hearts. Although the LV weight-to-body weight ratio (LV/BW) and cardiomyocyte diameter were higher in the DM and DM+betaGal groups than in the non-DM group, in the DM+SERCA group, these measurements were restored to non-DM size. The percentages of collagen area in the three DM groups was significantly higher than results shown in non-DM rats, and there were no significant differences in collagen area percentage among the three DM groups. These results suggest that a lowered LV/BW by SERCA2a overexpression is due mainly to reduced size of cardiomyocytes without any changes in collagen area percentage. In conclusion, in DM failing hearts, SERCA2a gene transfer can increase coronary blood flow and reduce cardiomyocyte size without reduction in collagen production.

Targeted gene transfer increases contractility and decreases oxygen cost of contractility in normal rat hearts.

The aim of this study was to examine how global cardiac gene transfer of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2a) can influence left ventricular (LV) mechanical and energetic function, especially in terms of O(2) cost of LV contractility, in normal rats. Normal rats were randomized to receive an adenovirus carrying the SERCA2a (SERCA) or beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) gene or saline by a catheter-based technique. LV mechanical and energetic function was measured in cross-circulated heart preparations 2-3 days after the infection. The end-systolic pressure-volume relation was shifted upward, end-systolic pressure at 0.1 ml of intraballoon water volume was higher, and equivalent maximal elastance, i.e., enhanced LV contractility, was higher in the SERCA group than in the normal, beta-Gal, and saline groups. Moreover, the LV relaxation rate was faster in the SERCA group. There was no significant difference in myocardial O(2) consumption per beat-systolic pressure-volume area relation among the groups. Finally, O(2) cost of LV contractility was decreased to subnormal levels in the SERCA group but remained unchanged in the beta-Gal and saline groups. This lowered O(2) cost of LV contractility in SERCA hearts indicates energy saving in Ca(2+) handling during excitation-contraction coupling. Thus overexpression of SERCA2a transformed the normal energy utilization to a more efficient state in Ca(2+) handling and superinduced the supranormal contraction/relaxation due to enhanced Ca(2+) handling.

Preservation of mechanical and energetic function after adenoviral gene transfer in normal rat hearts.

1. The aim of the present study was to examine the acute and chronic effects of adenoviral gene transfer on cardiac function in terms of left ventricular (LV) mechanoenergetic function. Recombinant adenoviral vector carrying beta-galactosidase and green fluorescent protein genes (Ad.betagal-GFP) was used. Cardiac function was examined in cross-circulated rat heart preparations, where end-systolic/diastolic pressure-volume relationships (ESPVR/EDPVR), systolic pressure-volume area (PVA), LV relaxation rate, equivalent maximal elastance at mid-range LV volume (eE(max) at mLVV), coronary blood flow, coronary vascular resistance and myocardial oxygen consumption (VO(2)) were also measured. 2. To examine the ex vivo acute effects of the adenoviral vector, data were obtained before and 30-90 min after intracoronary infusion of Ad.betagal-GFP in the excised, cross-circulated hearts that underwent serotonin pretreatment. To examine the in vivo chronic effects of adenoviral gene transfer, normal rat hearts received Ad.betagal-GFP or saline by a catheter-based technique and data were obtained 3 days after the injection of Ad.betagal-GFP or saline. 3. The ESPVR, EDPVR, LV relaxation rate, eE(max) at mLVV, coronary blood flow and coronary vascular resistance remained unchanged in Ad.betagal-GFP-transfected hearts in both ex vivo acute and in vivo chronic experiments. Moreover, the ex vivo and in vivo transfection caused no change in the slope and VO(2) intercept of the VO(2)-PVA relationship, VO(2) for basal metabolism and for Ca(2+) handling in excitation-contraction coupling and O(2) costs of LV contractility. 4. These results indicate that adenoviral gene transfer has neither acute nor chronic toxic effects on LV mechanical and energetic function. A special combination of in vivo adenoviral gene transfer and a cross-circulation experimental system may provide a useful novel strategy to explore the functional and mechanoenergetic role of specifically targeted genes in the diseased heart.

Restoration of mechanical and energetic function in failing aortic-banded rat hearts by gene transfer of calcium cycling proteins.

The aim of this study was to examine whether short- and long-term gene transfer of Ca(2+) handling proteins restore left ventricular (LV) mechanoenergetics in aortic banding-induced failing hearts. Aortic-banded rats received recombinant adenoviruses carrying sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2a) (Banding+SERCA), parvalbumin (Banding+Parv) or beta-galactosidase (Banding+betagal), or an adeno-associated virus carrying SERCA2a (Banding+AAV.SERCA) by a catheter-based technique. LV mechanoenergetic function was measured in cross-circulated hearts. "Banding", "Banding+betagal" and "Banding+saline" groups showed lower end-systolic pressure at 0.1 ml intraballoon water (ESP(0.1)), higher end-diastolic pressure at 0.1 ml intraballoon water (EDP(0.1)) and slower LV relaxation rate, compared with "Normal" and "Sham". However, "Banding+SERCA" and "Banding+Parv" showed high ESP(0.1), low EDP(0.1) and fast LV relaxation rate. In "Banding", "Banding+betagal" and "Banding+saline", slope of relation between cardiac oxygen consumption and systolic pressure-volume area, O(2) cost of total mechanical energy, was twice higher than normal value, whereas slope in "Baning+SERCA" and "Banding+Parv" was similar to normal value. Furthermore, O(2) cost of LV contractility in the 3 control banding groups was approximately 3 times higher than normal value, whereas O(2) cost of contractility in "Banding+SERCA", "Banding+AAV.SERCA" and "Banding+Parv" was as low as normal value. Thus, high O(2) costs of total mechanical energy and of LV contractility in failing hearts indicate energy wasting both in chemomechanical energy transduction and in calcium handling. Improved calcium handling by both short- and long-term overexpression of SERCA2a and parvalbumin transforms the inefficient energy utilization into a more efficient state. Therefore enhancement of calcium handling either by resequestration into the SR or by intracellular buffering improves not only mechanical but energetic function in failing hearts.

Mechanical and metabolic rescue in a type II diabetes model of cardiomyopathy by targeted gene transfer.

The Otsuka-Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rat represents a model for spontaneous non-insulin-dependent type II diabetes mellitus (DM), characterized by diastolic dysfunction and associated with abnormal calcium handling and decrease in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ -ATPase (SERCA2a) expression. The aim of this study was to examine whether SERCA2a gene transfer can restore the energetic deficiency and left ventricular (LV) function in this model. DM rats were randomized to receive adenovirus carrying either the SERCA2a gene (DM + Ad.SERCA2a) or the beta-galactosidase gene (DM + Ad.betaGal) or saline (DM + saline). LV mechanoenergetic function was measured in cross-circulated heart preparations 3 days after infection. In DM, end-systolic pressure at 0.1 ml intraballoon water (ESP0.1) was low and end-diastolic pressure at 0.1 ml intraballoon water (EDP0.1) was high (22 mm Hg), compared with non-DM (EDP0.1 12 mm Hg). In DM + Ad.SERCA2a, however, ESP0.1 was increased over 200 mm Hg and EDP(0.1) was decreased to 7 mm Hg. LV relaxation rate was fast in DM + Ad.SERCA2a, but slow in the other DM groups. There was no difference in relation between cardiac oxygen consumption per beat and systolic pressure-volume area among all groups. Finally, the oxygen cost of LV contractility in DM was about three times as high as that of normal. In DM + Ad.SERCA2a, the oxygen cost decreased to control levels, but in DM + Ad.betaGal/DM + saline it remained high. In DM failing hearts, the high oxygen cost indicates energy wasting, which contributes to the contractile dysfunction observed in diabetic cardiomyopathy. SERCA2a gene transfer transforms this inefficient energy utilization into a more efficient state and restores systolic and diastolic function to normal.