We recently documented the expression of a novel human mRNA variant encoding a yet uncharacterized SERCA [SR (sarcoplasmic reticulum)/ER (endoplasmic reticulum) Ca 2+ -ATPase] protein, SERCA2c [Gélébart, Martin, Enouf and Papp (2003) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 303 , 676–684]. In the present study, we have analysed the expression and functional characteristics of SERCA2c relative to SERCA2a and SERCA2b isoforms upon their stable heterologous expression in HEK-293 cells (human embryonic kidney 293 cells). All SERCA2 proteins induced an increased Ca 2+ content in the ER of intact transfected cells. In microsomes prepared from transfected cells, SERCA2c showed a lower apparent affinity for cytosolic Ca 2+ than SERCA2a and a catalytic turnover rate similar to SERCA2b. We further demonstrated the expression of the endogenous SERCA2c protein in protein lysates isolated from heart left ventricles using a newly generated SERCA2c-specific antibody. Relative to the known uniform distribution of SERCA2a and SERCA2b in cardiomyocytes of the left ventricle tissue, SERCA2c was only detected in a confined area of cardiomyocytes, in close proximity to the sarcolemma. This finding led us to explore the expression of the presently known cardiac Ca 2+ -ATPase isoforms in heart failure. Comparative expression of SERCAs and PMCAs (plasma-membrane Ca 2+ -ATPases) was performed in four nonfailing hearts and five failing hearts displaying mixed cardiomyopathy and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathies. Relative to normal subjects, cardiomyopathic patients express more PMCAs than SERCA2 proteins. Interestingly, SERCA2c expression was significantly increased (166±26%) in one patient. Taken together, these results demonstrate the expression of the novel SERCA2c isoform in the heart and may point to a still unrecognized role of PMCAs in cardiomyopathies.

The molecular cloning of two previously unknown human sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ -ATPase 3 (SERCA3) 3′-end transcripts, 3b and 3c, has been recently published. Data were lacking, however, for the presence of these SERCA3 variants in different tissue or cell types at the protein level. Here we report the co-expression of three human SERCA3 protein isoforms in platelets and T lymphoid Jurkat cells. Isoform-specific polyclonal anti-peptide antibodies have been generated that recognize specifically the SERCA3a, 3b or 3c splice variants at their C-termini, and this has been confirmed by peptide-competition experiments as well. None of these antibodies cross-reacted with the housekeeping SERCA2b isoform co-expressed endogenously with SERCA3 proteins in non-muscle cells. Although all three SERCA3 isoforms could be detected in platelets, the 3a form was the most abundantly expressed species. Its size matched the apparent size of SERCA3a over-expressed in HEK-293 cells. Immunoprecipitation of the SERCA3 variants from platelet membranes using a PL/IM 430-affinity matrix provided evidence that the putative pan-anti-SERCA3 antibody, PL/IM 430, recognizes all SERCA3 protein isoforms. The epitope for the PL/IM 430 antibody could be localized in a 40kDa N-terminal tryptic fragment common to all three SERCA3 variants. Comparative Western-blot analysis showed that the expression level of the SERCA3a, 3b and 3c isoforms was more than 10 times lower in Jurkat cells than in platelets, whereas expression of the ubiquitous SERCA2b was nearly identical. This work highlights new Ca 2+ -transporting proteins of haematopoietic cells and provides specific antibodies for their detection.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a key role in Ca 2+ signalling through Ca 2+ release via inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (Ins P 3 -Rs) and Ca 2+ uptake by sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ -ATPases (SERCAs). Here, we investigated the organization of platelet ER and its biogenesis during megakaryocytopoiesis. First, erythro/megakaryoblastic MEG 01, UT7, M-O7e and CHRF 288-11 cell lines, platelets and thrombopoietin-induced UT7-Mpl cells were selected for the study of SERCA2b and SERCA3 proteins by Western blotting using the antibodies IID8 and PL/IM430, respectively. As judged by platelet glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa) expression, an increase in SERCA3 proteins was observed while that of SERCA2b remained unchanged throughout maturation. Second, these studies were extended to the newly described alternatively spliced SERCA3a–c RNAs and Ins P 3 -Rs using the in vitro model of PMA-induced differentiation of MEG 01 cells. Time-course and dose–response studies showed a maximal approx. 4-fold up-regulation of SERCA3 proteins using 10 -8 M PMA for 3 days, which paralleled induction of GPIIIa expression. SERCA3 induction was found to occur at the level of mRNA. The modulation of the different SERCA3 species (i.e. 3a, 3b and 3c) was isoform-specific: while SERCA3a was slightly increased, an approx. 3-fold induction of SERCA3b, and a 4-fold induction of SERCA3c, was observed after 24h of PMA treatment. Isoform-specific Western blotting and/or reverse transcriptase PCR studies showed that Ins P 3 -R types I, II and III are expressed in MEG 01 cells, as well as in platelets. Study of the expression of these Ins P 3 -R types in PMA-induced MEG 01 cells revealed that: (i) Ins P 3 -RI protein and mRNA showed no changes; (ii) Ins P 3 -RII mRNA was up-regulated and peaked at hour 48 and (iii) Ins P 3 -RIII mRNA and protein showed a transitory maximal 3- and 2.3-fold increase at hours 6 and 30, respectively. Upon PMA treatment of CHRF 288-11 cells, in which GPIIIa is not induced upon treatment, a similar pattern of regulation of Ins P 3 -R types II and III was seen, but a distinct pattern of SERCA3 regulation was observed. These results suggest a profound reorganization of ER-protein patterns during megakaryocytopoiesis and underline the role of SERCA3 gene regulation in the control of Ca 2+ -dependent platelet functions.

Platelet Ca 2+ signalling involves intracellular Ca 2+ pools, whose content is controlled by sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ ATPases (SERCAs). Among these, a key role is played by the inositol trisphosphate-sensitive Ca 2+ pool, associated with the SERCA 3b isoform. We have investigated the control of this Ca 2+ pool through the cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of the GTP-binding protein, Rap (Ras-proximate) 1b. We first looked for this Ca 2+ pool target of regulation by studying the expression of the different SERCA and Rap 1 proteins in human platelets and various cell lines, by Western blotting and reverse transcription-PCR. Since co-expression of Rap 1b and SERCA 3b was obtained, we looked for their protein–protein interaction as a function of the cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of Rap 1b. Co-immunoprecipitations of SERCA 3b and Rap 1b proteins were found in the absence of phosphorylation, induced by the catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (csPKA). In contrast, upon pre-treatment of platelet membranes with csPKA, the SERCA 3b dissociated from the Rap 1b protein, in agreement with a role of its phosphorylated state in their interaction. Finally, we looked for adaptation of this complex in a platelet pathological model of hypertension. We investigated the expression of both proteins, as well as the cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of Rap 1b and SERCA 3b activity in platelets from control normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats and from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). A decrease in SERCA 3b activity was associated with a decrease in Rap 1b endogenous phosphorylation in SHR platelets, consistent with a functional role in the regulation of the SERCA 3b-associated Ca 2+ pool.