AMPK is critical for mitochondrial function during reperfusion after myocardial ischemia

J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2016 Feb:91:104-13. doi: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2015.12.032. Epub 2015 Dec 30.

Abstract

AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is a stress responsive kinase that regulates cellular metabolism and protects against cardiomyocyte injury during ischemia-reperfusion (IR). Mitochondria play an important role in cell survival, but the specific actions of activated AMPK in maintaining mitochondrial integrity and function during reperfusion are unknown. Thus, we assessed the consequences of AMPK inactivation on heart mitochondrial function during reperfusion. Mouse hearts expressing wild type (WT) or kinase-dead (KD) AMPK were studied. Mitochondria isolated from KD hearts during reperfusion had intact membrane integrity, but demonstrated reduced oxidative capacity, increased hydrogen peroxide production and decreased resistance to mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening compared to WT. KD hearts showed increased activation of the mitogen activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MKK4) and downstream c-Jun terminal kinase (JNK) and greater necrosis during reperfusion after coronary occlusion. Transgenic expression of mitochondrial catalase (MCAT) prevented the excessive cardiac JNK activation and attenuated the increased myocardial necrosis observed during reperfusion in KD mice. Inhibition of JNK increased the resistance of KD hearts to mPTP opening, contractile dysfunction and necrosis during IR. Thus, intrinsic activation of AMPK is critical to prevent excess mitochondrial reactive oxygen production and consequent JNK signaling during reperfusion, thereby protecting against mPTP opening, irreversible mitochondrial damage and myocardial injury.

Keywords: AMPK; Ischemia; Mitochondria; Reperfusion; Signal transduction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Catalase / genetics
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / genetics*
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mitochondria, Heart / drug effects
  • Mitochondria, Heart / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore
  • Myocardial Infarction / drug therapy
  • Myocardial Infarction / genetics*
  • Myocardial Infarction / metabolism
  • Myocardial Infarction / pathology
  • Myocardial Reperfusion
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Necrosis / genetics*
  • Necrosis / metabolism
  • Necrosis / pathology
  • Necrosis / prevention & control
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transgenes

Substances

  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Catalase
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4