SMYD1a protects the heart from ischemic injury by regulating OPA1-mediated cristae remodeling and supercomplex formation

In this study, we show that inducible, cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of SMYD1a in mice protects the heart from ischemic injury as seen by a  >  50% reduction in infarct size and decreased myocyte cell death. We also demonstrate that attenuated pathological remodeling is a result of enhanced mitochondrial respiration efficiency, which is driven by increased mitochondrial cristae formation and stabilization of respiratory chain supercomple xes within the cristae. These morphological changes occur concomitant with increased OPA1 expression, a known driver of cristae morphology and supercomplex formation. Together, these analyses identify OPA1 as a novel downstream target of SMYD1a whereby cardiomyocytes upregulate energy efficiency to dynamically adapt to the energy demands of the cell. In addition, these findings highlight a new epigenetic mechanism by which SMYD1a regulates mitochondrial energetics and functions to protect the heart from ischemic injury.
Source: Basic Research in Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research