Rationale: cMyBP-C (cardiac myosin-binding protein-C) is a critical regulator of heart contraction, but the mechanisms by which cMyBP-C affects actin and myosin are only partly understood. A primary obstacle is that cMyBP-C localization on thick filaments may be a key factor defining its interactions, but most in vitro studies cannot duplicate the unique spatial arrangement of cMyBP-C within the sarcomere. Objective: The goal of this study was to validate a novel hybrid genetic/protein engineering approach for rapid manipulation of cMyBP-C in sarcomeres in situ. Methods and Results: We designed a novel cut and paste approach for removal and replacement of cMyBP-C N′-terminal domains (C0–C7) in detergent-permeabilized cardiomyocytes from gene-edited Spy-C mice. Spy-C mice express a TEVp (tobacco etch virus protease) cleavage site and a SpyTag (st) between cMyBP-C domains C7 and C8. A cut is achieved using TEVp which cleaves cMyBP-C to create a soluble N′-terminal γ C0C7 (endogenous [genetically encoded] N′-terminal domains C0 to C7 of cardiac myosin binding protein-C) fragment and an insoluble C′-terminal SpyTag-C8-C10 fragment that remains associated with thick filaments. Paste of new recombinant ( r )C0C7 domains is achieved by a covalent bond formed between SpyCatcher (-sc; encoded at the C′-termini of recombinant proteins) and SpyTag. Results show that loss of γ C0C7 reduced myofilament Ca 2+ sensitivity and increased cross-bridge cycling ( k tr ) at submaximal [Ca 2+ ]. Acute loss of γ C0C7 also induced auto-oscillatory contractions at submaximal [Ca 2+ ]. Ligation of r C0C7 (exogenous [recombinant] N′-terminal domains C0 to C7 of cardiac myosin binding protein-C)-sc returned pCa 50 and k tr to control values and abolished oscillations, but phosphorylated (p)- r C0C7-sc did not completely rescue these effects. Conclusions: We describe a robust new approach for acute removal and replacement of cMyBP-C in situ. The method revealed a novel role for cMyBP-C N′-terminal domains to damp sarcomere-driven contractile waves (so-called spontaneous oscillatory contractions). Because phosphorylated (p)- r C0C7-sc was less effective at damping contractile oscillations, results suggest that spontaneous oscillatory contractions may contribute to enhanced contractility in response to inotropic stimuli.
Cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) is an essential regulatory protein required for proper systolic contraction and diastolic relaxation. We previously showed that N'-terminal domains of cMyBP-C stimulate contraction by binding to actin and activating the thin filament in vitro. In principle, thin filament activating effects of cMyBP-C could influence contraction and relaxation rates, or augment force amplitude in vivo. cMyBP-C binding to actin could also contribute to an internal load that slows muscle shortening velocity as previously hypothesized. However, the functional significance of cMyBP-C binding to actin has not yet been established in vivo. We previously identified an actin binding site in the regulatory M-domain of cMyBP-C and described two missense mutations that either increased (L348P) or decreased (E330K) binding affinity of recombinant cMyBP-C N'-terminal domains for actin in vitro. Here we created transgenic mice with either the L348P or E330K mutations to determine the functional significance of cMyBP-C binding to actin in vivo. Results showed that enhanced binding of cMyBP-C to actin in L348P-Tg mice prolonged the time to end-systole and slowed relaxation rates. Reduced interactions between cMyBP-C and actin in E330K-Tg mice had the opposite effect and significantly shortened the duration of ejection. Neither mouse model displayed overt systolic dysfunction, but L348P-Tg mice showed diastolic dysfunction presumably resulting from delayed relaxation. We conclude that cMyBP-C binding to actin contributes to sustained thin filament activation at the end of systole and during isovolumetric relaxation. These results provide the first functional evidence that cMyBP-C interactions with actin influence cardiac function in vivo.
Introduction Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a progressive disease characterized by cardiac remodeling, hyperdynamic contraction, and impaired ventricular filling that can lead to dynamic left-ventricular outflow-track (LVOT) obstruction and exertional intolerance. Direct myosin-inhibition with mavacamten can normalize contractility and improve exercise capacity in patients with oHCM, providing sustained symptomatic relief. However, mavacamten can also improve ventricular filling by limiting residual cross-bridges during diastole, and therefore, may offer cardiac benefits beyond obstruction reprieve. This study leveraged a feline model of oHCM, cats with the A31P MYBPC3 variant, to study the acute in vivo effects of MYK-581, a mavacamten surrogate, on cardiac hemodynamics and filling. Methods A31P-homozygous cats with HCM (A31P, n=10) and wild-type healthy controls (CTRL, n=9) were anesthetized and instrumented for invasive pressure-volume (PV) measurements as well as trans-thoracic echocardiographic recording. A subset of cats were assigned to receive either vehicle (VEH, n=7) or MYK-581 (MYK, n=8) with a short IV infusion. Cardiac hemodynamics, function, and geometry were assessed at steady state before and during dobutamine challenges (2.5 μg/kg/min IV). Results A31P cats had thicker ventricular walls (6.4±0.1 vs. 5.2±0.2 mm, P<0.05) and hyperdynamic contraction (FS: 61±4 vs. 50±3%, P<0.05) relative to controls and presented with dynamic LVOT obstruction in 54% of cases. HCM cats had elevated end-diastolic pressures (17±1.4 vs. 9±1.0 mmHg, P<0.05), with prolonged time constants of relaxation (60±4.1 vs. 36±2.4 ms, P<0.05) and elevated end-diastolic stiffness (Eed: 0.44±0.06 vs. 0.25±0.01 mmHg/mL). Acute treatment with MYK-581 alleviated LVOT obstruction (0% vs. 38%), normalized contractility (FS: −7±2%), and increased systolic/diastolic chamber dimensions (e.g., LVIDd: +13±4%) (all P<0.05), while reducing EDP (15±2 to 13±2 mmHg, P<0.05), suggesting acute improvement in ventricular distensibility. Indeed, MYK-581 treatment reduced end-diastolic stiffness (Eed: 0.48±0.11 vs. 0.36±0. 10 mmHg/mL, P<0.05) and normalized trans-mitral motion patterns during filling. Conclusions Bred cats, homozygous for the A31P MYBPC3 variant, presented a cardiac phenotype that models multiple characteristics of the human oHCM phenotype including dynamic LVOT obstruction. Acute treatment with the mavacamten surrogate, MYK-581, not only alleviated hypercontractility and LVOT obstruction, but improved ventricular filling and end-diastolic pressures. Taken together, these pre-clinical observations show potential salutary effects beyond obstruction relief in patients with HCM. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): MyoKardia
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