Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of O-GlcNAcase improves contractile function in the diabetic heart

To examine whether excessive protein O-GlcNAcylation plays a role in the dysfunction of the diabetic heart, we delivered adenovirus expressing O-GlcNAcase (Adv-GCA) into the myocardium of STZ-induced diabetic mice. Our results indicated that excessive cellular O-GlcNAcylation exists in the diabetic heart, and that in vivo GCA overexpression reduces overall cellular O-GlcNAcylation. Myocytes isolated from diabetic hearts receiving Adv-GCA exhibited improved calcium transients with a significantly shortened T-decay ( P < 0.01) and increased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ load (P < 0.01). These myocytes also demonstrated improved contractility including a significant increase in +dL/dt and -dL/dt and greater fractional shortening as measured by edge detection (P < 0.01). In isolated perfused hearts, developed pressure and -dP/dt were significantly improved in diabetic hearts receiving Adv-GCA ( P < 0.05). These hearts also exhibited a 40% increase in SERCA2a expression. Phospholamban protein expression was reduced 50%, but the phosphorylated form was increased 2-fold in the diabetic hearts receiving Adv-GCA. We conclude that excess O-GlcNAcylation in the diabetic heart contributes to cardiac dysfunction, and reducing this excess cellular O-GlcNAcylation has beneficial effects on calcium handling and diabetic cardiac function.