Using a cDNA microarray technique, we analyzed the expression profile of 1081 genes in the whole heart tissue of rats. The expressions of three classes of genes encoding cellular energy metabolism enzymes, transmembrane receptors, and intracellular kinase network members were reduced by more than 2.5-fold in cardiac tissues from the rats fed with nicotine (3 mg/kg/day) for 3 months. The down-regulated 11 genes included mitochondrial ATP synthase beta subunit, mitochondrial H+ transporting ATP synthase F1 complex alpha subunit isoform 1, liver mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, glutathione-S-transferase mu type 2, corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 2, metabotropic glutamate receptor 2, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subtype 2B, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3, transmembrane receptor Unc5H1, glycogen synthase kinase 3alpha, and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II beta subunit. It appears that chronic nicotine treatment affects cardiac function by modulating the expressions of genes involved in energy metabolism and signal transduction. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.