O-GlcNAcylation Contributes to Augmented Vascular Reactivity Induced by Endothelin 1

O-GlcNAcylation augments vascular contractile responses, and O-GlcNAc-proteins are increased in the vasculature of deoxycorticosterone-acetate salt rats. Because endothelin 1 (ET-1) plays a major role in vascular dysfunction associated with salt-sensitive forms of hypertension, we hypothesized that ET-1–induced changes in vascular contractile responses are mediated by O-GlcNAc modification of proteins. Incubation of rat aortas with ET-1 (0.1 μmol/L) produced a time-dependent increase in O-GlcNAc levels and decreased expression of O -GlcNAc transferase and β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, key enzymes in the O-GlcNAcylation process. Overnight treatment of aortas with ET-1 increased phenylephrine vasoconstriction (maximal effect [in moles]: 19±5 versus 11±2 vehicle). ET-1 effects were not observed when vessels were previously instilled with anti– O -GlcNAc transferase antibody or after incubation with an O -GlcNAc transferase inhibitor (3-[2-adamantanylethyl]-2-[{4-chlorophenyl}azamethylene]-4-oxo-1,3-thiazaperhyd roine-6-carboxylic acid; 100 μmol/L). Aortas from deoxycorticosterone-acetate salt rats, which exhibit increased prepro–ET-1, displayed increased contractions to phenylephrine and augmented levels of O-GlcNAc proteins. Treatment of deoxycorticosterone-acetate salt rats with an endothelin A antagonist abrogated augmented vascular levels of O-GlcNAc and prevented increased phenylephrine vasoconstriction. Aortas from rats chronically infused with low doses of ET-1 (2 pmol/kg per minute) exhibited increased O-GlcNAc proteins and enhanced phenylephrine responses (maximal effect [in moles]: 18±2 versus 10±3 control). These changes are similar to those induced by O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranosylidene) amino-N-phenylcarbamate, an inhibitor of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase. Systolic blood pressure (in millimeters of mercury) was similar between control and ET-1–infused rats (117±3 versus 123±4 mm Hg; respectively). We conclude that ET-1 indeed augments O-GlcNAc levels and that this modification contributes to the vascular changes induced by this peptide. Increased vascular O-GlcNAcylation by ET-1 may represent a mechanism for hypertension-associated vascular dysfunction or other pathological conditions associated with increased levels of ET-1.