Dietary genistein enhances phosphorylation of regulatory myosin light chain in the myocardium of ovariectomized mice

There is evidence that isoflavones, such as genistein, can directly or indirectly improve lipid profile and lower blood pressure and hence exert cardiovascular protection. It is further believed, that genistein attenuates vascular contraction and thus vascular tone and blood pressure through altering the phosphorylation of the regulatory myosin light chain (MLC) probably via the myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) or the RhoA pathway. However, the direct role of genistein in the myocardium is poorly reviewed. In this study, we investigated the impact of genistein on the cardiac proteome in ovariectomized female mice using a 2DE-MS approach. Dietary genistein intake considerably changed the abundance of several cytoskeletal and contractile proteins and enhanced the phosphorylation of MLC. The MLC phosphorylation was mediated through increased abundance of MLCK and inhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase latest known to be inversely regulated by RhoA. Contrary to others, in our model genistein did neither inhibit the cardiac MLCK, nor the cardiac RhoA pathway in vivo.