title: Na+/Ca2+ exchanger knockout mice: plasticity of cardiac excitation-contraction coupling.
abstract: The Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) is the main Ca2+ extrusion mechanism of the cardiac myocyte. Nevertheless, cardiac-specific NCX knockout (KO) mice are viable to adulthood. We have identified two adaptations of excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) to the absence of NCX in these animals: (a) a reduction of the L-type Ca2+ current (I(Ca)) with an increase in ECC gain and (b) a shortening of the action potential (AP) to further limit Ca2+ influx. Both mechanisms contribute to Ca2+ homeostasis by reducing Ca2+ influx while maintaining contractility. These adaptations may comprise important feedback mechanisms by which cardiomyocytes may be able to limit Ca2+ influx in situations of compromised Ca2+ extrusion capacity.
authors: Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Pott
authors: Scott A
authors: SA
authors: Henderson
authors: Joshua I
authors: JI
authors: Goldhaber
authors: Kenneth D
authors: KD
authors: Philipson
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D019831:Sodium-Calcium Exchanger / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D019831:Sodium-Calcium Exchanger