Increased Expression of Gi-Coupled Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor and Gi in Atrium of Elderly Diabetic Subjects

Abstract

In an ongoing investigation of the effects of age on G protein–coupled receptor signaling in human atrial tissue, we have found that the density of atrial muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) increases with age but reaches statistical significance only in patients with diabetes. Moreover, we find that in elderly subjects of similar ages, those with diabetes have 1.7-fold higher levels of Gαi2 and twofold higher levels of Gβ1. Diabetes does not affect other atrial G proteins, including Gαi3, Gαs, Gαo, and Gβ2. These data represent the first demonstration of an increase in a Gi-coupled receptor, Gαi2, and Gβ1, in atrium of patients with diabetes. These findings suggest a molecular explanation for the increased risk of cardiac disease in patients with diabetes, because increased signaling through Gi has been shown to lead to the development of dilated cardiomyopathy.