Thyroid hormone markedly increases the mRNA coding for sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase in the rat heart.

Previous findings have shown that thyroid hormone markedly increases the speed of diastolic relaxation in the heart. This thyroid hormone-dependent change is also accompanied by an increased Ca2+ pumping ability in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In an effort to determine the underlying cause of improved Ca2+ transport, mRNA levels of the slow Ca2+-ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum were quantified on Northern blots. In hypothyroid rat hearts, the steady state level of Ca2+-ATPase mRNA was only 36% of control levels, whereas hyperthyroid rat heart mRNA levels were 136% of control. Ca2+-ATPase mRNA responded rapidly to T3, as the mRNA level was significantly increased by 2 h and normalized by 5 h after T3 injection into hypothyroid rats. The well established effect of thyroid hormone on improved myocardial contractility and increased speed of diastolic relaxation may in part relate to specific alterations in the level of the mRNA coding for Ca2+-ATPase, resulting in increased pump units.