Inactivation of enhanced expression of G(i) proteins by pertussis toxin attenuates the development of high blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We have previously shown that the enhanced expression of G(i) proteins in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) that precedes the development of high blood pressure may be one of the contributing factors in the pathogenesis of hypertension. In the present study, we demonstrate that the inactivation of G(i) proteins by intraperitoneal injection of pertussis toxin (PT, 1.5 micro g/100 g body wt) into 2-week-old prehypertensive SHR prevented the development of hypertension up to 4 weeks and that, thereafter, it started to increase and reached the same level found in untreated SHR after 6 weeks. A second injection of PT after 4 weeks delayed the increase in blood pressure for another week. The PT-induced decrease in blood pressure in 6-week-old SHR was associated with a decreased level of G(i)alpha-2 and G(i)alpha-3 proteins in the heart, as determined by in vitro ADP ribosylation and immunoblotting. The decreased level of G(i) proteins was reflected in decreased G(i) functions. Furthermore, an augmentation of blood pressure to the same level in PT-treated SHR as found in untreated SHR was associated with enhanced expression and function of G(i). These results indicate that the inactivation of G(i) proteins by PT treatment in prehypertensive SHR attenuates the development of hypertension and suggest that the enhanced levels of G(i) proteins that result in the decreased levels of cAMP and associated impaired cellular functions may be contributing factors in the pathogenesis of hypertension in SHR.