Attenuated desensitization of β-adrenergic receptor by water-soluble N-nitrosamines that induce S-nitrosylation without NO release

N Makita, Y Kabasawa, Y Otani, Firman, J Sato… - Circulation …, 2013 - Am Heart Assoc
N Makita, Y Kabasawa, Y Otani, Firman, J Sato, M Hashimoto, M Nakaya, H Nishihara…
Circulation research, 2013Am Heart Assoc
Rationale: The clinical problem of loss of β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) response, both in the
pathogenesis of heart failure and during therapeutic application of β-agonists, is attributable,
at least in part, to desensitization, internalization, and downregulation of the receptors. In the
regulation of β-AR signaling, G protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) primarily
phosphorylates agonist-occupied β-ARs, and this modification promotes desensitization,
internalization, and downregulation of β-ARs. It has been demonstrated that GRK2 is …
Rationale:
The clinical problem of loss of β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) response, both in the pathogenesis of heart failure and during therapeutic application of β-agonists, is attributable, at least in part, to desensitization, internalization, and downregulation of the receptors. In the regulation of β-AR signaling, G protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) primarily phosphorylates agonist-occupied β-ARs, and this modification promotes desensitization, internalization, and downregulation of β-ARs. It has been demonstrated that GRK2 is inhibited by its S-nitrosylation. However, compounds that induce S-nitrosylation, such as S-nitrosoglutathione, simultaneously generate NO, which has been demonstrated to operate for cardiovascular protection.
Objective:
We examine whether S-nitrosylation without NO generation inhibits desensitization of β2-AR by GRK2. We thus aim to synthesize compounds that specifically induce S-nitrosylation.
Methods and Results:
We have developed water-soluble N-nitrosamines that have S-nitrosylating activity but lack NO-generating activity. These compounds, at least partly, rescue β-AR from desensitization in HEK 293 cells expressing FLAG-tagged human β2-AR and in rat cardiac myocytes. They inhibit isoproterenol-dependent phosphorylation and internalization of β2-AR. Indeed, they nitrosylate GRK2 in vitro and in cells, and their S-nitrosylation of GRK2 likely underlies their inhibition of β2-AR desensitization.
Conclusions:
Compounds that induce S-nitrosylation without NO release inhibit GRK2 and attenuate β2-AR desensitization. Developing water-soluble drugs that specifically induce S-nitrosylation may be a promising therapeutic strategy for heart failure.
Am Heart Assoc