title: Nonselective cation current in rabbit ventricular myocytes.
abstract: Currents contributing repolarization in rabbit ventricular myocytes are very complex because the I(to.s) covers almost the whole repolarization phase of the action potential. The other components of repolarizing currents, such as I(Kr) and I(Ks), are small. In the present work, with whole-cell patch-clamp technique, a clear evidence was provided for the existence of a hitherto unreported, voltage-dependent, nonselective cation current (NSCC) in rabbit ventricular myocytes. Na(+), K(+), and Cs(+) can permeate through the nonselective cation channel and the NSCC can be blocked by Gd(3+). The channels are sensitive to Ca(2+), Mg(2+)-free, and insulin in bathing solution. Activation of NSCC may provide complex effects on action potential configuration depending on the basal conditions and the experimental situations. Considering the voltage dependence and rapid activation kinetics of this current, we speculate that this current can provide an important influence on all repolarization phases of the action potential as well as contribute to the resting membrane potential in rabbit ventricular myocytes. In addition, it is conceivable that, under certain pathophysiological conditions (e.g., ischemia or excessive mechanical stress), the sensitivity of the channels could be altered in such a way that the conductance opens even in the presence of physiological Ca(2+), Mg(2+), and insulin. It might be an important factor on the repolarization of the action potential. Changes in NSCC may lead to an induction or inhibition of arrhythmia.
authors.affiliation: Peking Union Medical College, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China. syd022@sohu.com
authors.forename: Y-D
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: X-C
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: T-F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Z-W
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Gu
mesh_terms: D015761:4-Aminopyridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D017609:Barium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D019256:Cadmium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D002586:Cesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002712:Chlorides / Q000494:pharmacology; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000494:pharmacology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007328:Insulin; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D012964:Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology; D016276:Ventricular Function
chemical_list: D017609:Barium Compounds; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D002712:Chlorides; D007328:Insulin; D007473:Ion Channels; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; C024986:barium chloride; D002586:Cesium; D012964:Sodium; D005682:Gadolinium; D015761:4-Aminopyridine; D008274:Magnesium; D019256:Cadmium Chloride; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium