Regulation of phospholipase C in cardiac hypertrophy

Abstract

The cardiomyocyte hypertrophic response to norepinephrine is considered to be mediated by PLC. However, there is very little information on the regulation of specific PLC isozyme gene and protein expression as well as activities in normal and hypertrophied myocardium. In this article, we provide an overview of the role of PLC-mediated signal transduction pathways in cardiac hypertrophy as well as identify some of the mechanisms that might be involved in the regulation of PLC isozyme gene expression, protein abundance and activities. From the evidence provided it is proposed that specific PLC isozymes may be involved in the cardiomyocyte hypertrophic response, and that modification of the transcriptional regulation of PLC isozymes might also prevent the progression of cardiac hypertrophy.