The mitochondrial K-ATP channel opener diazoxide upregulates STIM1 and Orai1 via ROS and the MAPK pathway in adult rat cardiomyocytes

Abstract Background Openers of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium (mKATP) channels like diazoxide increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cardiac cells and reduce Ca2+ elevations produced by ischemia–reperfusion, protecting the heart from damage. In this study we tested the hypothesis that opening mKATP channels regulates expression of the major components of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) STIM1 and Orai1. Results Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot experiments showed that diazoxide increased expression of STIM1 and Orai1 at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, in adult rat cardiomyocytes. Immunofluorescence analyses revealed that diazoxide also disrupted the striated distribution pattern of STIM1. These effects were prevented by the ROS scavenger N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), the mKATP channel antagonist 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), or the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX). Confocal microscopy revealed that diazoxide also led to nuclear translocation of the transcription factors c-Fos and NFκB, which was also blocked by NAC or 5-HD. Finally, the MAPK pathway inhibitor UO126 attenuated diazoxide-induced upregulation of STIM1 and Orai1 expression. Conclusions Our results suggest that opening mitochondrial potassium ATP channels with diazoxide upregulates the expression of STIM1 and Orai1 by de novo synthesis by a mechanism that involves NFkB, c-Fos, and ROS via MAPK/ERK signaling.