Evidence that the H1-H2 domain of alpha1 subunit of (Na++K+)-ATPase participates in the regulation of cardiac contraction.

(Na++K+)-ATPase (NKA) plays an important role in ion homeostasis and regulates cardiac contraction. To understand the molecular basis of its cardiac regulatory functions, we investigated whether the primary structure of the H1-H2 domain in alpha-1 (alpha1) subunit of the enzyme plays a role in myocardial contractile regulation. Here we show that site-specific binding to this 1 H1-H2 domain with a targeted antibody (SSA78) markedly augments intracellular Ca2+ transients and contraction of rat ventricular cardiomyocytes without inactivating NKA. In vivo SSA78 infusion in mice results in a positive inotropic effect with enhanced contractile function yet no change in relaxation, indicating a direct cardiac effect linked to the H1-H2 domain. Competitive immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry reveal that SSA78 binding is antagonized by ouabain, supporting the interaction of SSA78 at one of the glycoside-effecter sites. These new findings suggest that the H1-H2 domain of 1 subunit of NKA is a critical determinant of enzyme biologic activity, which couples to enhanced myocyte calcium transient and inotropic action.

Regulation of Kv4.3 current by KChIP2 splice variants: a component of native cardiac I(to)?

BACKGROUND: The transient outward potassium current (I(to)) encoded by the Kv4 family of potassium channels is important in the repolarization of cardiac myocytes. KChIPs are a recently identified group of Ca2+-binding accessory subunits that modulate Kv4-encoded currents. KChIP2 is the only family member expressed in the heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: We previously cloned 2 novel splice variants of KChIP2 from human heart, named KChIP2S and KChIP2T. The transmural distribution of KChIP2 mRNA and protein in human and canine left ventricle was examined using kinetic RT-PCR and Western blots in the same tissues. A steep gradient of mRNA with greater KChIP2 expression in the epicardium was observed. However, no gradient of immunoreactive protein was observed. Immunocytochemistry reveals KChIP2 expression in the t-tubules and the nucleus. The predominant effects of all 3 KChIP2 splice variants on hKv4.3-encoded current are to increase the density, slow the current decay in a Ca2+-dependent manner, and hasten recovery from inactivation in a splice variant-specific fashion. CONCLUSIONS: A family of KChIP2 proteins is expressed in human hearts that exhibits differential modulation of hKv4.3 current in a Ca2+-dependent fashion. The effect of KChIP2 on the biophysical properties of expressed Kv4.3 current and the absence of a gradient of protein across the ventricular wall suggest that KChIP2 is either not a requisite component of human or canine ventricular I(to) or that its functional effect is being affected or additionally modified by other factors present in myocardial cells.

Molecular mechanisms underlying K+ current downregulation in canine tachycardia-induced heart failure.

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by marked prolongation of action potential duration and reduction in cellular repolarization reserve. These changes are caused in large part by HF-induced K(+) current downregulation. Molecular mechanisms underlying these changes remain unclear. We determined whether downregulation of K(+) currents in a canine model of tachycardia-induced HF is caused by altered expression of underlying K(+) channel alpha- and beta-subunits encoding these currents. K(+) channel subunit expression was quantified in normal and failing dogs at the mRNA and protein levels in epicardial (Epi), midmyocardial (Mid), and endocardial (Endo) layers of left ventricle. Analysis of mRNA and protein levels of candidate genes encoding the transient outward K(+) current (I(to)) revealed marked reductions in canine cKv4.3 expression in HF in Epi (44% mRNA, 39% protein), Mid (52% mRNA, 34% protein), and Endo (49% mRNA, 73% protein) layers and a paradoxical enhancement (41% Epi, 97% Mid, 113% Endo) in cKv1.4 protein levels, without significant changes in Kv channel-interacting protein cKChIP2 expression. Expression of cKir2.1, the gene underlying inward rectifier K(+) current (I(K1)), was unaffected by HF at mRNA and protein levels despite significant reduction in I(K1), whereas canine ether-a-go-go-related gene (cERG), which encodes the rapidly activating component of the delayed rectifier current (I(K)), exhibited increased protein expression. HF was not accompanied by significant changes in cKvLQT1 or cMinK mRNA and protein levels. These data indicate that 1) downregulation of I(to) in HF is associated with decreased cKv4.3 and not cKv1.4 or cKChIP2, and 2) alterations in both the rapidly activating and slowly activating components of I(K) as well as I(K1) in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy are not caused by changes in either transcript or immunoreactive protein levels of relevant channel subunits, which suggests posttranslational modification of these currents by HF.