Role of Nrf2 Signaling in the Regulation of Vascular BK Channel β1 Subunit Expression and BK Channel Function in High-Fat Diet-Induced Diabetic Mice

The large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channel 1-subunit (BK-beta 1) is a key modulator of BK channel electrophysiology and the downregulation of BK-beta 1 protein expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) underlies diabetic vascular dysfunction. In this study, we hypothesized that the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway plays a significant role in the regulation of coronary BK channel function and vasodilation in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese/diabetic mice. We found that the protein expressions of BK-beta 1 and Nrf2 were markedly downregulated, whereas those of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) and the muscle ring finger protein 1 (MuRF1 [a ubiquitin E3 ligase for BK-beta 1]) were significantly upregulated in HFD mouse arteries. Adenoviral expression of Nrf2 suppressed the protein expressions of NF-kappa B and MuRF1 but enhanced BK-beta 1 mRNA and protein expressions in cultured coronary SMCs. Knockdown of Nrf2 resulted in reciprocal changes of these proteins. Patch-clamp studies showed that coronary BK-beta 1-mediated channel activation was diminished in HFD mice. Importantly, the activation of Nrf2 by dimethyl fumarate significantly reduced the body weight and blood glucose levels of HFD mice, enhanced BK-beta 1 transcription, and attenuated MuRF1-dependent BK-beta 1 protein degradation, which in turn restored coronary BK channel function and BK channel-mediated coronary vasodilation in HFD mice. Hence, Nrf2 is a novel regulator of BK channel function with therapeutic implications in diabetic vasculopathy.