Cardiomyocyte S1P(1) Receptor-mediated Extracellular Signal-related Kinase Signaling and Desensitization

We examined the ability of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) to desensitize extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), a mitogen-activated protein kinase linked to antiapoptotic responses in the heart. In isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes, SIP (10 nM-5 mu M) induced ERK phosphorylation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. S1P stimulation of ERK was completely inhibited by an S1P(1/3) subtype receptor antagonist (VPC23019), by a Gi protein inhibitor (pertussis toxin) and by a mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase inhibitor (PD98059). A selective S1P(3) receptor antagonist (CAY10444) had no effect on SIP-induced ERK activation. The selective S1P(1) agonist SEW2871 also induced ERK phosphorylation. Activation of ERK, by restimulation with 100 nM S1P was suppressed after 1 hour of preiricubation with 100 nM SIP but recovered fully the next day, suggesting receptor recyclirig. Similar results were obtained in protein kinase C epsilon-null cardiomyocytes. Treatment with the nonselective SIP receptor agonist FTY720 for 1 hour also reduced phospho-ERK expression in response to Subsequent S1P stimulation. In contrast to S1P, some desensitization to FTY720 persisted after overnight exposure. Cell death induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation was reduced by pretreatment with exogenous SIP. This enhanced survival was abrogated by pretreatment with PD98059, VPC23019, or pertussis toxin. Thus, exogenous S1P induces rapid and reversible S1P(1)-mediated ERK phosphorylation. S1P-induced adult mouse cardiomyocyte survival requires ERK activation mediated via an S1P(1)-Gi pathway