Open AccessDhcr24 activates the PI 3K/Akt/ HKII pathway and protects against dilated cardiomyopathy in mice
Author(s) -
Dong Wei,
Guan Feifei,
Zhang Xu,
Gao Shan,
Liu Ning,
Chen Wei,
Zhang Lianfeng,
Lu Dan
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
animal models and experimental medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2576-2095
DOI - 10.1002/ame2.12007
Subject(s) - biology , apoptosis , protein kinase b , genetically modified mouse , gene knockdown , transgene , microbiology and biotechnology , signal transduction , diabetic cardiomyopathy , endocrinology , knockout mouse , medicine , desmin , tunel assay , receptor , cardiomyopathy , immunology , biochemistry , heart failure , immunohistochemistry , gene , vimentin
Background 24‐dehydrocholesterol reductase (Dhcr24) catalyzes the last step of cholesterol biosynthesis, which is required for normal development and anti‐apoptotic activities of tissues. We found that Dhcr24 expression decreased in the cTnT R 141W dilated cardiomyopathy ( DCM ) transgenic mice. Therefore, we tested whether rescued expression of Dhcr24 could prevent the development of DCM and its possible mechanism. Methods Heart tissue specific transgenic overexpression mice of Dhcr24 was generated, then was crossed to cTnT R 141W mouse to obtain the double transgenic mouse ( DTG ). The phenotypes were demonstrated by the survival, cardiac geometry and function analysis, as well as microstructural and ultrastructural observations based on echocardiography and histology examination. The pathway and apoptosis were analysed by western blotting and TUNEL assay in vivo and in vitro. Results We find that Dhcr24 decreased in hearts tissues of cTnT R 141W and LMNA E 82K DCM mice. The transgenic overexpression of Dhcr24 significantly improves DCM phenotypes in cTnT R 141W mice, and activates PI 3K/Akt/ HKII pathway, followed by a reduction of the translocation of Bax and release of cytochrome c , caspase‐9 and caspase‐3 activation and myocyte apoptosis. Knockdown the expression of Dhcr24 reduces the activation of PI 3K/Akt/ HKII pathway and inhibition of the mitochondrial‐dependent apoptosis. The anti‐apoptotic effect of Dhcr24 could be completely removed by the inhibition of PI 3K pathway and partly removed by the HKII inhibitor in H9c2 cell line. Conclusion Compensatory expression of Dhcr24 protect against DCM through activated PI 3K/Akt/ HKII pathway and reduce Bax translocation. This is the first investigation for the molecular mechanism of Dhcr24 participate in development of DCM .