Differential expression of small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels SK1, SK2, and SK3 in mouse atrial and ventricular myocytes

2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (6) ◽  
pp. H2714-H2723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dipika Tuteja ◽  
Danyan Xu ◽  
Valeriy Timofeyev ◽  
Ling Lu ◽  
Dipika Sharma ◽  
...  

Small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SK channels, KCa channels) have been reported in excitable cells, where they aid in integrating changes in intracellular Ca2+ with membrane potential. We recently reported for the first time the functional existence of SK2 (KCa2.2) channels in human and mouse cardiac myocytes. Here, we report cloning of SK1 (KCa2.1) and SK3 (KCa2.3) channels from mouse atria and ventricles using RT-PCR. Full-length transcripts and their variants were detected for both SK1 and SK3 channels. Variants of mouse SK1 channel (mSK1) differ mainly in the COOH-terminal structure, affecting a portion of the sixth transmembrane segment (S6) and the calmodulin binding domain (CaMBD). Mouse SK3 channel (mSK3) differs not only in the number of polyglutamine repeats in the NH2 terminus but also in the intervening sequences between the polyglutamine repeats. Full-length cardiac mSK1 and mSK3 show 99 and 91% nucleotide identity with those of mouse colon SK1 and SK3, respectively. Quantification of SK1, SK2, and SK3 transcripts between atria and ventricles was performed using real-time quantitative RT-PCR from single, isolated cardiomyocytes. SK1 transcript was found to be more abundant in atria compared with ventricles, similar to the previously reported finding for SK2 channel. In contrast, SK3 showed similar levels of expression in atria and ventricles. Together, our data are the first to indicate the presence of the three different isoforms of SK channels in heart and the differential expression of SK1 and SK2 in mouse atria and ventricles. Because of the marked differential expression of SK channel isoforms in heart, specific ligands for Ca2+-activated K+ currents may offer a unique therapeutic opportunity to modify atrial cells without interfering with ventricular myocytes.

2021 ◽  
Vol 473 (3) ◽  
pp. 477-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Dong Zhang ◽  
Phung N. Thai ◽  
Deborah K. Lieu ◽  
Nipavan Chiamvimonvat

AbstractSmall-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK, KCa2) channels are encoded by KCNN genes, including KCNN1, 2, and 3. The channels play critical roles in the regulation of cardiac excitability and are gated solely by beat-to-beat changes in intracellular Ca2+. The family of SK channels consists of three members with differential sensitivity to apamin. All three isoforms are expressed in human hearts. Studies over the past two decades have provided evidence to substantiate the pivotal roles of SK channels, not only in healthy heart but also with diseases including atrial fibrillation (AF), ventricular arrhythmia, and heart failure (HF). SK channels are prominently expressed in atrial myocytes and pacemaking cells, compared to ventricular cells. However, the channels are significantly upregulated in ventricular myocytes in HF and pulmonary veins in AF models. Interests in cardiac SK channels are further fueled by recent studies suggesting the possible roles of SK channels in human AF. Therefore, SK channel may represent a novel therapeutic target for atrial arrhythmias. Furthermore, SK channel function is significantly altered by human calmodulin (CaM) mutations, linked to life-threatening arrhythmia syndromes. The current review will summarize recent progress in our understanding of cardiac SK channels and the roles of SK channels in the heart in health and disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (3) ◽  
pp. H485-H507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tesfaye Negash Asfaw ◽  
Leonid Tyan ◽  
Alexey V. Glukhov ◽  
Vladimir E. Bondarenko

Various experimental mouse models are extensively used to research human diseases, including atrial fibrillation, the most common cardiac rhythm disorder. Despite this, there are no comprehensive mathematical models that describe the complex behavior of the action potential and [Ca2+]i transients in mouse atrial myocytes. Here, we develop a novel compartmentalized mathematical model of mouse atrial myocytes that combines the action potential, [Ca2+]i dynamics, and β-adrenergic signaling cascade for a subpopulation of right atrial myocytes with developed transverse-axial tubule system. The model consists of three compartments related to β-adrenergic signaling (caveolae, extracaveolae, and cytosol) and employs local control of Ca2+ release. It also simulates ionic mechanisms of action potential generation and describes atrial-specific Ca2+ handling as well as frequency dependences of the action potential and [Ca2+]i transients. The model showed that the T-type Ca2+ current significantly affects the later stage of the action potential, with little effect on [Ca2+]i transients. The block of the small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ current leads to a prolongation of the action potential at high intracellular Ca2+. Simulation results obtained from the atrial model cells were compared with those from ventricular myocytes. The developed model represents a useful tool to study complex electrical properties in the mouse atria and could be applied to enhance the understanding of atrial physiology and arrhythmogenesis. NEW & NOTEWORTHY A new compartmentalized mathematical model of mouse right atrial myocytes was developed. The model simulated action potential and Ca2+ dynamics at baseline and after stimulation of the β-adrenergic signaling system. Simulations showed that the T-type Ca2+ current markedly prolonged the later stage of atrial action potential repolarization, with a minor effect on [Ca2+]i transients. The small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ current block resulted in prolongation of the action potential only at the relatively high intracellular Ca2+.


2009 ◽  
Vol 296 (4) ◽  
pp. C766-C782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Tsang ◽  
Stanley S. C. Wong ◽  
Song Wu ◽  
Gennadi M. Kravtsov ◽  
Tak-Ming Wong

We hypothesized that testosterone at physiological levels enhances cardiac contractile responses to stimulation of both α1- and β1-adrenoceptors by increasing Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and speedier removal of Ca2+ from cytosol via Ca2+-regulatory proteins. We first determined the left ventricular developed pressure, velocity of contraction and relaxation, and heart rate in perfused hearts isolated from control rats, orchiectomized rats, and orchiectomized rats without and with testosterone replacement (200 μg/100 g body wt) in the presence of norepinephrine (10−7 M), the α1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (10−6 M), or the nonselective β-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline (10−7 M) in the presence of 5 × 10−7 M ICI-118,551, a β2-adrenoceptor antagonist. Next, we determined the amplitudes of intracellular Ca2+ concentration transients induced by electrical stimulation or caffeine, which represent, respectively, Ca2+ release via the ryanodine receptor (RyR) or releasable Ca2+ in the SR, in ventricular myocytes isolated from the three groups of rats. We also measured 45Ca2+ release via the RyR. We then determined the time to 50% decay of both transients, which represents, respectively, Ca2+ reuptake by sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) and removal via the sarcolemmal Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX). We correlated Ca2+ removal from the cytosol with activities of SERCA and its regulator phospholamban as well as NCX. The results showed that testosterone at physiological levels enhanced positive inotropic and lusitropic responses to stimulation of α1- and β1-adrenoceptors via the androgen receptor. The increased contractility and speedier relaxation were associated with increased Ca2+ release via the RyR and faster Ca2+ removal out of the cytosol via SERCA and NCX.


2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (4) ◽  
pp. C966-C976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunwoo Lee ◽  
Joon-Chul Kim ◽  
Yuhua Li ◽  
Min-Jeong Son ◽  
Sun-Hee Woo

This study examines whether fluid pressure (FP) modulates the L-type Ca2+ channel in cardiomyocytes and investigates the underlying cellular mechanism(s) involved. A flow of pressurized (∼16 dyn/cm2) fluid, identical to that bathing the myocytes, was applied onto single rat ventricular myocytes using a microperfusion method. The Ca2+ current ( ICa) and cytosolic Ca2+ signals were measured using a whole cell patch-clamp and confocal imaging, respectively. It was found that the FP reversibly suppressed ICa (by 25%) without altering the current-voltage relationships, and it accelerated the inactivation of ICa. The level of ICa suppression by FP depended on the level and duration of pressure. The Ba2+ current through the Ca2+ channel was only slightly decreased by the FP (5%), suggesting an indirect inhibition of the Ca2+ channel during FP stimulation. The cytosolic Ca2+ transients and the basal Ca2+ in field-stimulated ventricular myocytes were significantly increased by the FP. The effects of the FP on the ICa and on the Ca2+ transient were resistant to the stretch-activated channel inhibitors, GsMTx-4 and streptomycin. Dialysis of myocytes with high concentrations of BAPTA, the Ca2+ buffer, eliminated the FP-induced acceleration of ICa inactivation and reduced the inhibitory effect of the FP on ICa by ≈80%. Ryanodine and thapsigargin, abolishing sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release, eliminated the accelerating effect of FP on the ICa inactivation, and they reduced the inhibitory effect of FP on the ICa. These results suggest that the fluid pressure indirectly suppresses the Ca2+ channel by enhancing the Ca2+-induced intracellular Ca2+ release in rat ventricular myocytes.


2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (5) ◽  
pp. L870-L880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon S. McDaniel ◽  
Oleksandr Platoshyn ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Ying Yu ◽  
Michele Sweeney ◽  
...  

Agonist-induced increases in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) in pulmonary artery (PA) smooth muscle cells (SMCs) consist of a transient Ca2+ release from intracellular stores followed by a sustained Ca2+ influx. Depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores triggers capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE), which contributes to the sustained increase in [Ca2+]cyt and the refilling of Ca2+ into the stores. In isolated PAs superfused with Ca2+-free solution, phenylephrine induced a transient contraction, apparently by a rise in [Ca2+]cyt due to Ca2+ release from the intracellular stores. The transient contraction lasted for 3–4 min until the Ca2+ store was depleted. Restoration of extracellular Ca2+ in the presence of phentolamine produced a contraction potentially due to a rise in [Ca2+]cyt via CCE. The store-operated Ca2+ channel blocker Ni2+ reduced the store depletion-activated Ca2+ currents, decreased CCE, and inhibited the CCE-mediated contraction. In single PASMCs, we identified, using RT-PCR, five transient receptor potential gene transcripts. These results suggest that CCE, potentially through transient receptor potential-encoded Ca2+ channels, plays an important role in agonist-mediated PA contraction.


1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (4) ◽  
pp. H1441-H1448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Yao ◽  
Zhi Su ◽  
Akihiko Nonaka ◽  
Iram Zubair ◽  
Kenneth W. Spitzer ◽  
...  

To determine whether there are abnormalities in myocyte excitation-contraction coupling and intracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i) homeostasis in pacing-induced heart failure (PF), we measured L-type Ca2+ current ( I Ca,L) and Na+/Ca2+exchanger current ( I Na/Ca) with voltage clamp and measured intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) and [Ca2+]iwith the use of sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate (SBFI) and fluo 3 in ventricular myocytes isolated from control and paced rabbits. The peak systolic and diastolic levels and the amplitude of electrically stimulated [Ca2+]itransients (0.25 Hz, extracellular Ca2+ concentration = 1.08 mM) were significantly less in PF myocytes. Also, there was prolongation of the times to peak and decline of [Ca2+]itransients. I Ca,Ldensity was markedly decreased in PF myocytes. I Na/Ca at −40 mV elicited by rapid exposure to 0 Na+ solution with a rapid solution switcher was significantly reduced in PF myocytes, suggesting that the function of the Na+/Ca2+exchanger is impaired in these myocytes. In PF myocytes the decline of the [Ca2+]itransient when the Na+/Ca2+exchanger was abruptly disabled was markedly prolonged compared with the decline in control myocytes, consistent with depressed sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase function. RNase protection assay showed decreased levels of Na+/Ca2+exchanger and SR Ca2+-ATPase mRNA in PF hearts, consistent with the function studies. We conclude that the functions of L-type Ca2+channels, Na+/Ca2+exchanger, and SR Ca2+-ATPase are impaired in myocytes from rabbit hearts with failure induced by rapid pacing. These abnormalities result in reduced [Ca2+]itransients and systolic and diastolic dysfunction and appear to account for the abnormal ventricular function observed.


2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (3) ◽  
pp. H1276-H1285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lihong Yin ◽  
Harold Bien ◽  
Emilia Entcheva

Structural and functional changes ensue in cardiac cell networks when cells are guided by three-dimensional scaffold topography. We report enhanced synchronous pacemaking activity in association with slow diastolic rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in cell networks grown on microgrooved scaffolds. Topography-driven changes in cardiac electromechanics were characterized by the frequency dependence of [Ca2+]i in syncytial structures formed of ventricular myocytes cultured on microgrooved elastic scaffolds (G). Cells were electrically paced at 0.5–5 Hz, and [Ca2+]i was determined using microscale ratiometric (fura 2) fluorescence. Compared with flat (F) controls, the G networks exhibited elevated diastolic [Ca2+]i at higher frequencies, increased systolic [Ca2+]i across the entire frequency range, and steeper restitution of Ca2+ transient half-width ( n = 15 and 7 for G and F, respectively, P < 0.02). Significant differences in the frequency response of force-related parameters were also found, e.g., overall larger total area under the Ca2+ transients and faster adaptation of relaxation time to pacing rate ( P < 0.02). Altered [Ca2+]i dynamics were paralleled by higher occurrence of spontaneous Ca2+ release and increased sarcoplasmic reticulum load ( P < 0.02), indirectly assessed by caffeine-triggered release. Electromechanical instabilities, i.e., Ca2+ and voltage alternans, were more often observed in G samples. Taken together, these findings 1) represent some of the first functional electromechanical data for this in vitro system and 2) demonstrate direct influence of the microstructure on cardiac function and susceptibility to arrhythmias via Ca2+-dependent mechanisms. Overall, our results substantiate the idea of guiding cellular phenotype by cellular microenvironment, e.g., scaffold design in the context of tissue engineering.


2003 ◽  
Vol 550 (3) ◽  
pp. 731-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Dzhura ◽  
Yuejin Wu ◽  
Rong Zhang ◽  
Roger J. Colbran ◽  
Susan L. Hamilton ◽  
...  

1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (2) ◽  
pp. H341-H349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin R. Norton ◽  
Angela J. Woodiwiss ◽  
Robert J. McGinn ◽  
Mojca Lorbar ◽  
Eugene S. Chung ◽  
...  

Presently, the physiological significance of myocardial adenosine A2a receptor stimulation is unclear. In this study, the influence of adenosine A2a receptor activation on A1 receptor-mediated antiadrenergic actions was studied using constant-flow perfused rat hearts and isolated rat ventricular myocytes. In isolated perfused hearts, the selective A2a receptor antagonists 8-(3-chlorostyryl)caffeine (CSC) and 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5-ylamino]ethyl)phenol (ZM-241385) potentiated adenosine-mediated decreases in isoproterenol (Iso; 10−8 M)-elicited contractile responses (+dP/d t max) in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of ZM-241385 on adenosine-induced antiadrenergic actions was abolished by the selective A1 receptor antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (10−7 M), but not the selective A3 receptor antagonist 3-ethyl-5-benzyl-2-methyl-4-phenylethynyl-6-phenyl-1,4-(±)-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate (MRS-1191, 10−7 M). The A2a receptor agonist carboxyethylphenethyl-aminoethyl-carboxyamido-adenosine (CGS-21680) at 10−5 M attenuated the antiadrenergic effect of the selective A1 receptor agonist 2-chloro- N 6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA), whereas CSC did not influence the antiadrenergic action of this agonist. In isolated ventricular myocytes, CSC potentiated the inhibitory action of adenosine on Iso (2 × 10−7 M)-elicited increases in intracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i) transients but did not influence Iso-induced changes in [Ca2+]itransients in the absence of exogenous adenosine. These results indicate that adenosine A2areceptor antagonists enhance A1-receptor-induced antiadrenergic responses and that A2a receptor agonists attenuate (albeit to a modest degree) the antiadrenergic actions of A1 receptor activation. In conclusion, the data in this study support the notion that an important physiological role of A2a receptors in the normal mammalian myocardium is to reduce A1 receptor-mediated antiadrenergic actions.


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