Abstract 17696: Perm1 Stabilizes Nrf2 via Keap1 Oxidation to Protect the Heart Against Reperfusion Injury

Introduction: Reperfusion after ischemia (IR) produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) that promote myocardial injury. Nrf2 is a transcription factor that promotes transcription of antioxidant enzymes. Keap1 is a negative regulator of Nrf2. When oxidated by ROS, Keap1 releases Nrf2, leading to Nrf2 activation. Perm1 (PPARGC-1 and ESRR-induced regulator, muscle specific 1) is a scaffold or adaptor protein that maintains cellular metabolism. However, whether and how Perm1 protects the heart against IR injury via Nrf2 remains unknown.

Methods: We used systemic Perm1 knockout (KO) mice and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-induced cardiac-specific Perm1 overexpression to investigate the pathological role of Perm1 in IR injury.

Results: IR-induced myocardial infarction was greater in Perm1KO mice than in control mice. Consistently, infarction was smaller in mice with Perm1 overexpression (Infarction size/area at risk (AAR): AAV-GFP as a control 0.41 and AAV-Perm1 0.28*; p<0.05). Myocardial oxidative stress, evaluated via increases in dityrosine, 4HNE and GSSG/GSH, after IR was greater in Perm1KO but less in Perm1 overexpression mice. Expression of IR-induced Nrf2 target genes, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase 2, heme oxygenase 1, NADH quinone dehydrogenase 1 and thioredoxin 1, was inhibited in Perm1KO but promoted in overexpression mice. The detrimental effects observed in Perm1KO mice were normalized by ML334, an inhibitor of Keap1-Nrf2 interaction (Infarction size/AAR: Wild 0.42; Perm1KO 0.58; Wild with ML334 0.37 and Perm1KO with ML334 0.42*; p<0.05 vs. Perm1KO), suggesting that Perm1 protects the heart via Nrf2. In primary cultured rat cardiomyocytes, Perm1 was bound to Keap1 and promoted its oxidation, thereby stabilizing and activating Nrf2. Perm1-induced Nrf2 activation was verified with reporter gene assays using a consensus binding sequence of Nrf2, termed antioxidant response element. In an in vitro system using recombinant proteins, Perm1 directly bound to Keap1.

Conclusions: These results suggest that Perm1 is a novel regulator of cellular redox homeostasis through Nrf2 activation via Keap1 oxidation that protects the heart against IR injury.