Targeted inactivation of Gαi does not alter cardiac function or β-adrenergic sensitivity

Abstract

Inhibitory Gαi protein increases in the myocardium during hypertrophy and has been associated with β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) desensitization, contractile dysfunction, and progression of cardiac disease. The role of Gαi proteins in mediating basal cardiac function and β-AR response in nonpathological myocardium, however, is uncertain. Transgenic mice with targeted inactivation of Gαi2 or Gαi3 were examined for in vivo cardiac function with the use of conscious echocardiography and for ex vivo cardiac response to inotropic stimulation with the use of Langendorff blood-perfused isolated hearts and adult ventricular cardiomyocytes. Echocardiography revealed that percent fractional shortening and heart rate were similar among wild-type, Gαi2 -null, and Gαi3 -null mice. Comparable baseline diastolic and contractile performance was also observed in isolated hearts and isolated ventricular myocytes from wild-type mice and mice lacking Gαi proteins. Isoproterenol infusion enhanced diastolic and contractile performance to a similar degree in wild-type, Gαi2 -null, and Gαi3 -null mice. These data demonstrate no observable role for inhibitory G proteins in mediating basal cardiac function or sensitivity to β-AR stimulation in nonpathological myocardium.