The aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis that NO-dependent regulationof sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) gene expression can play an important role in preventionof calcium overload under the influence of detrimental factors. It was shown that 2 hours after the administrationof the NO donor dinitrosyl iron complex (DNIC), the gene expression of myocardial SERCA was increasedby 20% as compared to the control. In skeletal muscles, the maximum increase in SERCA expression wasobserved in 6 hours and amounted to 156% as compared with the initial value. Simultaneously DNIC enhancedthe resistance of isolated heart and the organism as a whole to damaging effects of intracellular calciumoverload induced by post-ischemic reperfusion or vigorous exercise, respectively. The results obtainedconfirm the existence of NO-dependent activation of SERCA expression and the important role of this mechanismin restriction of calcium overload.

Keywords: Ca(2+)-Transporting ATPase, Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic, Iron, Muscle, Skeletal, Nitric Oxide, Nitric Oxide Donors, Nitrogen Oxides, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov, Sarcoplasmic Reticulum, Time Factors