A peptide encoded by a transcript annotated as long noncoding RNA enhances SERCA activity in muscle

Muscle contraction depends on release of Ca²⁺ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and reuptake by the Ca²⁺adenosine triphosphatase SERCA. We discovered a putative muscle-specific long noncoding RNA that encodes a peptide of 34 amino acids and that we named dwarf open reading frame (DWORF). DWORF localizes to the SR membrane, where it enhances SERCA activity by displacing the SERCA inhibitors, phospholamban, sarcolipin, and myoregulin. In mice, overexpression of DWORF in cardiomyocytes increases peak Ca²⁺ transient amplitude and SR Ca²⁺ load while reducing the time constant of cytosolic Ca²⁺ decay during each cycle of contraction-relaxation. Conversely, slow skeletal muscle lacking DWORF exhibits delayed Ca²⁺ clearance and relaxation and reduced SERCA activity. DWORF is the only endogenous peptide known to activate the SERCA pump by physical interaction and provides a means for enhancing muscle contractility.