Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kir2.1 , Nav1.5

Title: [Expression of Kir2.1, SCN5a and SCN1b channel genes in mouse cardiomyocytes with various electric properties: patch clamp combined with single cell RT-PCR study].

Authors: Hong-Yan Luo, Hua-min Liang, Xin-Wu Hu, Ming Tang

Journal, date & volume: Sheng Li Xue Bao, 2012 Feb 25 , 64, 82-6

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22348965

Abstract
This study is to explore a new method of investigating molecular basis for electrophysiological properties of early fetal cardiomyocytes. Single embryonic cardiomyocytes of mouse early developmental heart (E10.5) were obtained by a collagenase B digestion approach. After recording spontaneous action potential using whole cell patch clamp technique, the single cell was picked by a glass micropipette, followed by a standard RT-PCR to explore the expression levels of several ion channel genes. Three phenotypes of cardiomyocytes were demonstrated with distinct properties: ventricular-like, atrial-like, and pacemaker-like action potentials. Ventricular-like and atrial-like cells were characterized with much negative maximum diastolic potential (MDP) and a higher V(max) (maximum velocity of depolarization) compared to pacemaker-like cells. MDP of ventricular-like cells was the most negative. In parallel, stronger expression of SCN5a, SCN1b and Kir2.1 were observed in ventricular-like and atrial-like cells compared to that of pacemaker-like cells, where Kir2.1 in ventricular-like cells was the most abundant. Cardiomyocytes with distinct electrophysiological properties had distinct gene expression pattern. Single cell RT-PCR combined with patch clamp technique could serve as a precise detector to analyze the molecular basis of the special electrophysiological characteristics of cardiomyocytes.