Conclusions
The novel JMC protein SPEG is downregulated in human failing hearts. Acute loss of SPEG in mouse hearts causes JPH2 dephosphorylation and transverse-tubule loss associated with downstream Ca2+ mishandling leading to HF. Our study suggests that SPEG could be a novel target for the treatment of HF.
Objective
To determine the role of SPEG in healthy and failing adult hearts.
Results
Proteomic analysis of immunoprecipitated JMC proteins ryanodine receptor type 2 and junctophilin-2 (JPH2) followed by mass spectrometry identified the serine-threonine kinase SPEG as the only novel binding partner for both proteins. Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed the downregulation of SPEG mRNA levels in failing human hearts. A novel cardiac myocyte-specific Speg conditional knockout (MCM-Spegfl/fl) model revealed that adult-onset SPEG deficiency results in heart failure (HF). Calcium (Ca2+) and transverse-tubule imaging of ventricular myocytes from MCM-Spegfl/fl mice post HF revealed both increased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ spark frequency and disrupted JMC integrity. Additional studies revealed that transverse-tubule disruption precedes the development of HF development in MCM-Spegfl/fl mice. Although total JPH2 levels were unaltered, JPH2 phosphorylation levels were found to be reduced in MCM-Spegfl/fl mice, suggesting that loss of SPEG phosphorylation of JPH2 led to transverse-tubule disruption, a precursor of HF development in SPEG-deficient mice. Conclusions: The novel JMC protein SPEG is downregulated in human failing hearts. Acute loss of SPEG in mouse hearts causes JPH2 dephosphorylation and transverse-tubule loss associated with downstream Ca2+ mishandling leading to HF. Our study suggests that SPEG could be a novel target for the treatment of HF.