Regulation of protein synthesis and degradation in adult ventricular cardiac myocytes. Schl[umlaut]uter, K. D., B. C. Millar, B. J. McDermott, H. M. Piper. Physiologisches Institut, Universit[umlaut]at Gie[beta]en, Aulweg 129, D-35392 Gie[beta]en, Germany; Department of Therapeutics & Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Whitla Medical Building, 97 Lisborn Road, Belfast, N.Ireland
APStracts 2:0175C, 1995.
For studies on regulation of myocardial protein metabolism isolated adult cardiomyocytes have been introduced as an experimental model about a decade ago. When used shortly after isolation, this model represents a tool to study the properties of normal and diseased myocardium on the cellular level. The influence of various peptide hormones, neurotransmitters and mechanical stimulation on protein synthesis and degradation in isolated cardiomyocytes has been studied. It has been demonstrated, for example, that 1-adrenoceptor stimulation increases protein synthesis in newly isolated cardiomyocytes, independently of any mechanical effects. Other potential growth stimuli require appropriate conditions to induce cellular responsiveness. Neuropeptide Y, for example, does not stimulate cellular protein synthesis in newly isolated cells, whereas it does so in cells which have been cultured for a week in presence of serum. Mechanical stretch also represents a growth stimulant. It seems that its signal transduction involves an autocrine loop. Thus different mechanisms, by which exogenous influences can modify cellular protein synthesis and degradation have been identified on the cellular level using isolated adult cardiomyocytes. 

Received 3 February 1995; accepted in final form 12 April 1995.
APS Manuscript Number C217-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Cell Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 25 April 1995.