Abstract-Cardiac ischemia and reperfusion are associated with loss in the activity of the mitochondrial enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH). Pharmacological stimulation of PDH activity improves recovery in contractile function during reperfusion. Signaling mechanisms that control inhibition and reactivation of PDH during reperfusion were therefore investigated. Using an isolated rat heart model, we observed ischemia-induced PDH inhibition with only partial recovery evident on reperfusion. Translocation of the redox-sensitive ␦-isoform of protein kinase C (PKC) to the mitochondria occurred during reperfusion. Key Words: pyruvate dehydrogenase Ⅲ ␦PKC Ⅲ pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase Ⅲ free radicals Ⅲ mitochondria Ⅲ ischemia/reperfusion P yruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) is responsible for the conversion of pyruvate derived from glycolysis to acetylCoA for Krebs cycle activity. Enzyme activity is regulated, in part, by phosphorylation-and dephosphorylation-dependent inhibition and activation, respectively. 1,2 Phosphorylation is catalyzed by 4 PDH-associated pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDK1-4) that exhibit tissue-specific expression patterns and differences in specific activity toward 3 phosphorylation sites on the E1␣ subunit of PDH. The PDH complex also contains 2 pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatases (PDP 1 and PDP 2) responsible for reactivation of PDH. 2-4 PDH therefore represents a highly regulated and critical site for the control of glycolytic flux and ATP production.Cardiac ischemia/reperfusion is associated with alterations in metabolism that, depending on the severity of the ischemic insult, can progress to irreparable myocardial damage. 5 Although PDH activity in myocardial tissue has been reported to decline during flow-induced ischemia, 6 this is not universally observed. [7][8][9] The effects of reperfusion also exhibit considerable variability, with the majority of studies demonstrating a decrease in PDH activity. [7][8][9] Despite the disparity in evidence regarding PDH activity, cardiac efficiency and recovery of contractile function in postischemic hearts can be improved by pharmacological stimulation of PDH 8,10 -16 or infusion of pyruvate. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23] Identification of factors that regulate PDH activity during ischemia/reperfusion may therefore enhance the potential for therapeutic intervention.Reperfusion of ischemic myocardium is associated with enhanced free radical generation. 5,24 Pro-oxidants have been shown to regulate protein function either directly or indirectly through the modulation of other regulatory molecules. [25][26][27] One such example is the novel ␦-isoform of PKC. Exposure of purified ␦PKC to the thiol-specific oxidant diamide and glutathione (GSH) at concentrations that induce inactivation of other PKC isozymes results in ␦PKC activation. 28 Additionally, treatment of various cell types with H 2 O 2 , glutathione depleting agents, or the general PKC activator PMA results in tyrosine phosphorylation and/or activation and translocation of ␦PKC to the mitochondri...