ABSTRACT - Heart failure is a multifactorial disease, characterized by ventricular hypertrophy, myocyte death,
fibrosis, and contractile dysfunction. Cyclic nucleotide second messengers, cAMP and cGMP, regulate
numerous physiological functions and pathological processes in the heart, ranging from short-term muscle
contraction/relaxation to long-term structural remodeling. Dysregulated cAMP/cGMP homeostasis has been
implicated in various diseases. cAMP/cGMP are NOT freely diffusible. They exist as multiple spatially discrete
and functionally distinct cyclic nucleotide “pools”, which is believed to associate with different multi-protein
complexes each containing unique cyclases, phosphodiesterases (PDEs), and other signaling molecules. PDEs,
by catalyzing the degradation reaction, are essential for maintaining homeostasis, compartmentalization, and
specificity of cyclic nucleotide-mediated signaling and functions. Increasing evidence has indicated that
alterations in the expression/activation of different PDEs represent causative mechanisms for a number of
diseases. PDE10A gene encoded isozymes are able to hydrolyze both cAMP and cGMP in cell-free systems.
Under the physiological condition, PDE10A expression is enriched in the striatum of the brain. Most studies to
date have focused on neurological diseases, leading to advancing PDE10A inhibitors to clinical trials for
schizophrenia. However, the roles of PDE10A in the peripheral systems are still poorly understood. Recently,
we have first reported the induction of PDE10A expression in human and mouse failing hearts. Using genetic
and pharmacological approaches, we have demonstrated that PDE10A plays a critical role in pressure overload-
induced heart failure in mice. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unclear with respect to
the protective effects of PDE10A deficiency/inhibition in the heart. The identity and source of the cyclic nucleotide
regulated by PDE10A in CMs remain uncharacterized. Our preliminary data support a hypothesis that PDE10A
inhibition uniquely promotes A2AR-D2R heterodimerization and biased activation of D2R/barr2 signaling through
potentiating A2AR/cAMP/PKA-mediated phosphorylation of D2R. D2R/baar2 signaling leads to B56d-PP2A
activation, HDAC5 nuclear import, and ultimate attenuation of CM hypertrophy and death. To test our hypothesis,
we propose two aims: (1) determine the functionsand underlying mechanism of PDE10A in CMs using in vitro
cellular models; (2) determine the role of CM-specific PDE10A and A2AR-D2R signaling in cardiac ischemic injury
and remodeling in vivo. Our findings will provide the novel insights into the unique sources of cyclic nucleotides,
GPCRs, and signaling pathways that are specifically regulated by PDE10A in CMs; as well as advance our
understanding the novel roles of D2R signaling in cardiac tissues. Defining the specific cyclic nucleotide signaling
modulated by PDE10A may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies through targeting PDE10A
in combination with other cyclic nucleotide modulators to achieve additive or synergistic effects with less
deleterious side effects.