Conclusions
Atg7 induces basal autophagy, rescues the CryAB(R120G) autophagic deficiency, and attenuates the accumulation of misfolded proteins and aggregates in cardiomyocytes.
Objective
To determine whether autophagic induction by Atg7 is sufficient to reduce misfolded protein and aggregate content in protein misfolding-stressed cardiomyocytes.
Results
To define the gain and loss of function effects of Atg7 expression on CryAB(R120G) protein misfolding and aggregates, neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were infected with adenoviruses expressing either wild-type CryAB or CryAB(R120G) and coinfected with Atg7 adenovirus or with Atg7 silencing siRNAs to produce gain-of or loss-of Atg7 function. Atg7 overexpression effectively induced basal autophagy with no detrimental effects on cell survival, suggesting that Atg7 can activate autophagy with no apparent cytotoxic effects. Autophagic flux assays on CryAB(R120G)-expressing cardiomyocytes revealed reduced autophagic function, which probably contributed to the failure of misfolded proteins and aggregates to be cleared. Coexpression of Atg7 and CryAB(R120G) significantly reduced preamyloid oligomer staining, aggregate content, and cardiomyocyte cytotoxicity. Conversely, Atg7 silencing in the CryAB(R120G) background significantly inhibited the already reduced rate of autophagy and increased CryAB(R120G) aggregate content and cytotoxicity. Conclusions: Atg7 induces basal autophagy, rescues the CryAB(R120G) autophagic deficiency, and attenuates the accumulation of misfolded proteins and aggregates in cardiomyocytes.