Phosphorylation of the ryanodine receptor 2 at serine 2030 is required for a complete β-adrenergic response

During physical exercise or stress, the sympathetic system stimulates cardiac contractility via β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) activation, resulting in protein kinase A (PKA)–mediated phosphorylation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor RyR2. PKA-dependent “hyperphosphorylation” of the RyR2 channel has been proposed as a major impairment that contributes to progression of heart failure. However, the sites of PKA phosphorylation and their phosphorylation status in cardiac diseases are not well defined. Among the known RyR2 phosphorylation sites, serine 2030 (S2030) remains highly controversial as a site of functional impact. We examined the contribution of RyR2-S2030 to Ca(2+) signaling and excitation–contraction coupling (ECC) in a transgenic mouse with an ablated RyR2-S2030 phosphorylation site (RyR2-S2030A(+/+)). We assessed ECC gain by using whole-cell patch–clamp recordings and confocal Ca(2+) imaging during β-ARs stimulation with isoproterenol (Iso) and consistent SR Ca(2+) loading and L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca)) triggering. Under these conditions, ECC gain is diminished in mutant compared with WT cardiomyocytes. Resting Ca(2+) spark frequency (CaSpF) with Iso is also reduced by mutation of S2030. In permeabilized cells, when SR Ca(2+) pump activity is kept constant (using 2D12 antibody against phospholamban), cAMP does not change CaSpF in S2030A(+/+) myocytes. Using Ca(2+) spark recovery analysis, we found that mutant RyR Ca(2+) sensitivity is not enhanced by Iso application, contrary to WT RyRs. Furthermore, ablation of RyR2-S2030 prevents acceleration of Ca(2+) waves and increases latency to the first spontaneous Ca(2+) release after a train of stimulations during Iso treatment. Together, these results suggest that phosphorylation at S2030 may represent an important step in the modulation of RyR2 activity during β-adrenergic stimulation and a potential target for the development of new antiarrhythmic drugs.