Expression of beta-arrestins and beta-adrenergic receptor kinases in the failing human heart.

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Abstract
The beta-adrenergic receptor system of the failing human heart is markedly desensitized. We have recently postulated that this desensitization may in part be caused by an increase in beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) expression. beta ARK is thought to effect desensitization by acting in concert with an inhibitor protein, called beta-arrestin. Two isoforms have been identified both for beta ARK and for beta-arrestin. In the present study, we have investigated the expression of the individual isoforms of beta-arrestin and of beta ARK in left ventricles from failing and control human hearts. mRNAs for all four proteins, beta-arrestin-1, beta-arrestin-2, beta ARK-1, and beta ARK-2, were identified in human heart. Quantitation by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reactions showed that in heart failure there were no changes of the mRNA levels for beta-arrestin-1 and beta-arrestin-2, a slight (< 50%) increase of the mRNA for beta ARK-2, and a threefold increase for beta ARK-1 mRNA. At the protein l...