title: The role of inhibitory heterotrimeric G proteins in the control of in vivo heart rate dynamics.
abstract: Multiple isoforms of inhibitory Galpha-subunits (Galphai1,2,3, as well as Galphao) are present within the heart, and their role in modulating pacemaker function remains unresolved. Do inhibitory Galpha-subunits selectively modulate parasympathetic heart rate responses? Published findings using a variety of experimental approaches have implicated roles for Galphai2, Galphai3, and Galphao in parasympathetic signal transduction. We have compared in vivo different groups of mice with global genetic deletion of Gialpha1/Galphai3, Galphai2, and Galphao against littermate controls using implanted ECG telemetry. Significant resting tachycardia was observed in Galphai2(-/-) and Galphao(-/-) mice compared with control and Galphai1(-/-)/Galphai3(-/-) mice (P < 0.05). Loss of diurnal heart rate variation was seen exclusively in Galphao(-/-) mice. Using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, compared with littermate controls (4.02 ms2 +/- 1.17; n = 6, Galphai2(-/-)) mice have a selective attenuation of high-frequency (HF) power (0.73 ms2 +/- 0.31; n = 5, P < 0.05). Galphai1(-/-)/Galphai3(-/-) and Galphao(-/-) cohorts have nonsignificant changes in HF power. Galphao(-/-) mice have a different basal HRV signature. The observed HRV phenotype in Galphai2(-/-) mice was qualitatively similar to atropine (1 mg/kg)-treated controls [and mice treated with the GIRK channel blocker tertiapinQ (0.05 mg/kg)]. Maximal cardioinhibitory response to the M(2)-receptor agonist carbachol (0.5 mg/kg) compared with basal heart rate was attenuated in Galphai2(-/-) mice (0.08 +/- 0.04; n = 6) compared to control (0.27 +/- 0.04; n = 7 P < 0.05). Our data suggest a selective defect of parasympathetic heart rate modulation in mice with Galphai2 deletion. Mice with Galphao deletion also have a defect in short-term heart rate dynamics, but this is qualitatively different to the effects of atropine, tertiapinQ, and Galphai2 deletion. In contrast, Galphai1 and Galphai3 do not appear to be essential for parasympathetic responses in vivo.
authors.affiliation: British Heart Foundation, Laboratories and Department of Medicine, University College London, 5 University St., London, WC1E 6JJ, UK.
authors.forename: Zia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zuberi
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Birnbaumer
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tinker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D051960:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunit, Gi2 / Q000378:metabolism; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005838:Genotype; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D013686:Telemetry
chemical_list: D001514:Bee Venoms; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; C029738:tertiapin; D001285:Atropine; D002217:Carbachol; D051960:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunit, Gi2; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go; C498016:Gnai2 protein, mouse; C417708:Gnai3 protein, mouse