The decompensated detrusor III: impact of bladder outlet obstruction on sarcoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum protein and gene expression.

Abstract

Regulation of calcium ion homeostasis has a significant role in smooth muscle contractility. The sarcoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum, calcium, magnesium, adenosine triphosphatase (SERCA) is a regulatory ion pump that may have a role in the functional outcome after outlet obstruction. We investigate what correlation if any existed between SERCA protein and gene expression, and the contractile properties in the same bladder. Standardized partial bladder outlet obstructions were created in adult New Zealand white rabbits, which were divided into control, sham operated and obstructed groups. Muscle strip studies subcategorized the obstructed group into compensated (force greater than 50% of control) and decompensated (force less than 50% of control). Microsomal membrane and total RNA fractions were prepared from the same bladder tissue. Membrane proteins were used for Western blot analysis using a SERCA specific monoclonal antibody, and total RNA was assessed with Northern blot analysis. The relative intensities of signals for the Western and Northern blots demonstrated a strong correlation between protein and gene expression. Furthermore there was a strong association between the loss of SERCA messenger RNA and protein expression and loss of bladder function. Bladder contractility after outlet obstruction is influenced in part by smooth muscle cell ability to maintain calcium homeostasis via SERCA. The loss of SERCA protein expression is mediated by down-regulation in gene expression in the same bladder. These data suggest that smooth muscle ion pump gene expression is in part mechanically (pressure work) regulated.