Identification and Quantitation of cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase R Subunit Isoforms in Subcellular Fractions of Failing Human Myocardium

Isoforms of regulatory (R) subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase were identified immunochemically and quantified in soluble and washed particulate fractions of failing human left ventricular myocardium. The predominant isoforms in both fractions were RIαand RIIα. Both isoforms were present in comparable amounts in these fractions, although RIIαsubunits were somewhat more prevalent than RIαsubunits in washed particulate fractions. The ratio of R subunits to catalytic (C) subunits was three-fold higher in soluble than in particulate fractions. Identical observations were made in preparations from non-failing human left ventricular myocardium. Since RI and RII have different affinities for cAMP and may direct catalytic activity to different substrates, the presence of both subunits in both soluble and particulate fractions provides a mechanism whereby the compartment-selective changes in cAMP content that have been described in failing human myocardium may affect not only the level but also the profile of protein phosphorylation in these compartments. The high R:C subunit ratio in soluble fractions suggests that cytosolic kinase activity in human myocardium may be less sensitive to changes in cAMP content than membrane-bound kinase activity, and this may contribute to the different effects of increases in soluble and particulate cAMP content on intracellular Ca2+transients and contraction and relaxation.