Cavin-1 deficiency modifies myocardial and coronary function, stretch responses and ischaemic tolerance: roles of NOS over-activity

Abstract

Caveolae and associated cavin and caveolins may govern myocardial function, together with responses to mechanical and ischaemic stresses. Abnormalities in these proteins are also implicated in different cardiovascular disorders. However, specific roles of the cavin-1 protein in cardiac and coronary responses to mechanical/metabolic perturbation remain unclear. We characterised cardiovascular impacts of cavin-1 deficiency, comparing myocardial and coronary phenotypes and responses to stretch and ischaemia–reperfusion in hearts from cavin-1+/+ and cavin-1−/− mice. Caveolae and caveolins 1 and 3 were depleted in cavin-1−/− hearts. Cardiac ejection properties in situ were modestly reduced in cav..