title: Heterogeneity in K+ channel transcript expression detected in isolated ferret cardiac myocytes.
abstract: The molecular basis of the potassium ion (K+) channels that generate repolarization in heart tissue remains uncertain, in part because of the molecular diversity of the voltage-gated K+ channel family. In our investigation, we used fluorescent labeled oligonucleotide probes to perform in situ hybridization studies on enzymatically isolated myocytes to determine the identity, regional distribution, and cellular distribution of voltage-gated K+ channel, alpha-subunit mRNA expressed in ferret heart. The regions studied were from the sinoatrial node (SA), right and left atrium, right and left ventricle, and interatrial and interventricular septa. Kv1.5 and Kv1.4 were the most widely distributed K+ channel transcripts in the ferret heart (present in approximately 70%-86% and approximately 46%-95% of tested myocytes, respectively), followed by Kv1.2, Kv2.1, and Kv4.2. In addition, many myocytes contain transcripts for Kv1.3, Kv2.2, Kv4.1, Kv5.1, and members of the Kv3 family. Kv1.1, Kv1.6, and Kv6.1 were rarely expressed in working myocytes, but were more commonly expressed in SA nodal cells. Two other transcripts whose genes have been implicated in the long QT syndrome, erg and KvLQT1, were common in all regions (approximately 41%-58% and 52%-72%, respectively). These results show that both the diversity and heterogeneity of K+ channel mRNA in heart tissue is greater than previously suspected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina USA.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Brahmajothi
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Rasmusson
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Strauss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D051668:Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channels; D005289:Ferrets; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000502:physiology; D051656:KCNQ Potassium Channels; D051657:KCNQ1 Potassium Channel; D051662:Kv1.1 Potassium Channel; D051663:Kv1.2 Potassium Channel; D051664:Kv1.3 Potassium Channel; D051665:Kv1.4 Potassium Channel; D051666:Kv1.5 Potassium Channel; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000737:chemistry; D051669:Shab Potassium Channels; D012849:Sinoatrial Node / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D019210:Troponin I / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D051668:Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channels; D051656:KCNQ Potassium Channels; D051657:KCNQ1 Potassium Channel; D051663:Kv1.2 Potassium Channel; D051664:Kv1.3 Potassium Channel; D051665:Kv1.4 Potassium Channel; D051666:Kv1.5 Potassium Channel; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051669:Shab Potassium Channels; D019210:Troponin I; D051662:Kv1.1 Potassium Channel