Relationship between the in-situ activity of ornithine decarboxylase and contractile function of the rabbit papillary muscle.

The relationship between isometric contraction and myocardial ornithine decarboxylase (ODC; EC.4.1.1.17) activity was studied in right ventricular papillary muscles isolated from rabbits. ODC specific activity and polyamine content were significantly increased in papillary muscles contracting isometrically 90 times per minute at the apex of the length-tension relationship for 4 to 5 hours when compared with paired non-contracting muscles or isometrically contracting muscles stimulated at 30 times per min. The increase in ODC activity appeared to be due to new protein synthesis since cycloheximide blocked the increase in ODC activity without affecting isometric function. Thus, the present results suggest that increased contractile demands of the heart may stimulate the synthesis of myocardial ODC, increase ODC activity and polyamine content.