Posttranslational modifications of cardiac ryanodine receptors/calcium release channels by reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species

Abstract

Ryanodine receptors have a central role as the calcium release channels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In the heart, they allow the massive release of calcium that triggers heart muscle contraction. Ryanodine receptors are very sensitive to redox agents that produce reversible redox modifications, such as S-nitrosylation and S-glutathionylation of hyper-reactive cysteine residues. In this chapter, we will discuss the effects of some of these modifications and the available evidence for their physiological role and the possible enzymatic sources responsible for these modifications.