Calpain‐Dependent Cleavage of Junctophilin‐2 and T‐Tubule Remodeling in a Mouse Model of Reversible Heart Failure

BACKGROUND A highly organized transverse tubule (T-tubule) network is necessary for efficient Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release and synchronized contraction of ventricular myocytes. Increasing evidence suggests that T-tubule remodeling due to junctophilin-2 (JP-2) downregulation plays a critical role in the progression of heart failure. However, the mechanisms underlying JP-2 dysregulation remain incompletely understood. METHODS AND RESULTS A mouse model of reversible heart failure that is driven by conditional activation of the heterotrimeric G protein Gαq in cardiac myocytes was used in this study. Mice with activated Gαq exhibited disruption of the T-tubule network and defects in Ca(2+) handling that culminated in heart failure compared with wild-type mice. Activation of Gαq/phospholipase Cβ signaling increased the activity of the Ca(2+)-dependent protease calpain, leading to the proteolytic cleavage of JP-2. A novel calpain cleavage fragment of JP-2 is detected only in hearts with constitutive Gαq signaling to phospholipase Cβ. Termination of the Gαq signal was followed by normalization of the JP-2 protein level, repair of the T-tubule network, improvements in Ca(2+) handling, and reversal of heart failure. Treatment of mice with a calpain inhibitor prevented Gαq-dependent JP-2 cleavage, T-tubule disruption, and the development of heart failure. CONCLUSIONS Disruption of the T-tubule network in heart failure is a reversible process. Gαq-dependent activation of calpain and subsequent proteolysis of JP-2 appear to be the molecular mechanism that leads to T-tubule remodeling, Ca(2+) handling dysfunction, and progression to heart failure in this mouse model.