PARP1 deficiency induces aging-associated cardiac failure via activation of Akt signalling

PARP1, a poly-ADP-ribose transferase, plays a critical role in maintaining genomic stability, transcription, cellular metabolism, and cell death. PARP1 inhibition protects cardiomyocytes against oxidative and genotoxic stress. However, the role of PARP1 in aging-associated heart failure remains poorly explored. In the current study, we report that PARP1 levels are downregulated in aging mouse hearts, and PARP1 deficiency induces aging-related cardiac remodelling and contractile dysfunction in mice. PARP1 deficient mice hearts exhibit spontaneous activation of the Akt signalling pathway, leading to the development of aging-related cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Our findings reveal two distinct mechanisms by which PARP1 regulates Akt signalling, direct interaction of PARP1 with Akt and the transcriptional regulation of phosphatases like PTEN, a negative regulator of Akt signalling. PARP1 binds and inhibits Akt by poly-ADP-ribosylation at E40 and E49 residues, which impairs Akt membrane recruitment and subsequent activation. Inhibition of Akt reversed hypertrophy in PARP1-depleted cardiomyocytes and improved the contractile dysfunction in PARP1-deficient hearts. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized regulatory role for PARP1 in aging-associated cardiac failure.