ENHANCED EXPRESSION OF BETA-ADRENERGIC-RECEPTOR-KINASE-1 IN THE HEARTS OF CARDIOMYOPATHIC SYRIAN-HAMSTERS, BIO53.58

We cloned an entire coding sequence of P-adrenergic receptor kinase 1 (beta ARK1) cDNA from the hearts of of Syrian hamsters through reverse transcription and subsequent polymerase chain reaction. The cloned cD NA contained 2067 nucleotides coding 639 amino acids. The sequence had 95% homology to rat beta ARK1 and 90% homology to human homologue. Ca rdiomyopathie Syrian hamster BIO53.58, has been used as a model animal of congestive heart failure. M-mode echocardiography confirmed that l eft ventricular contractility of 20-week-old BIO53.58 was markedly red uced. The expression of beta ARK1 mRNA in the hearts of BIO53.58 was s ignificantly increased compared to control hamsters, F1b, suggesting t hat the enhanced beta ARK1 expression is acting as a negative feedback mechanism in order to maintain intracellular homeostasis against acce lerated stimulation by catecholamines via phosphorylation of P-adrener gic receptor. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.