Delayed rectification in the calf cardiac Purkinje fiber. Evidence for multiple state kinetics

Prolonged depolarization promotes fast gating kinetics of L-type Ca2+ channels in mouse skeletal myotubes

The effects of prolonged conditioning depolarizations on the activation kinetics of skeletal L-type calcium currents (L-currents) were characterized in mouse myotubes using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. The sum of two exponentials was required to adequately fit L-current activation and enabled determination of both the amplitudes (A(fast) and A(slow)) and time constants (tau(fast) and tau(slow)) of each component comprising the macroscopic current. Prepulses sufficient to activate (200 ms) or inactivate (10 s) L-channels did not alter tau(fast), tau(slow), or the fractional contribution of either the fast (A(fast)/(A(fast) + A(slow)) or slow (A(slow)/(A(fast) + A(slow))) amplitudes of subsequently activated L-currents. Prolonged depolarizations (60 s to +40 mV) resulted in the conversion of skeletal L-current to a fast gating mode following brief repriming intervals (3-10 s at -80 mV). Longer repriming intervals (30-60 s at -80 mV) restored L-channels to a predominantly slow gating mode. Accelerated L-currents originated from L-type calcium channels since they were completely blocked by a dihydropyridine antagonist (3 microM nifedipine) and exhibited a voltage dependence of activation similar to that observed in the absence of conditioning prepulses. The degree of L-current acceleration produced following prolonged depolarization was voltage dependent. For test potentials between +10 and +50 mV, the fractional contribution of Afast to the total current decreased exponentially with the test voltage (e-fold approximately 38 mV). Thus, L-current acceleration was most significant at more negative test potentials (e.g. +10 mV). Prolonged depolarization also accelerated L-currents recorded from myotubes derived from RyR1-knockout (dyspedic) mice. These results indicate that L-channel acceleration occurs even in the absence of RyR1, and is therefore likely to represent an intrinsic property of skeletal L-channels. The results describe a novel experimental protocol used to demonstrate that slowly activating mammalian skeletal muscle L-channels are capable of undergoing rapid, voltage-dependent transitions during channel activation. The transitions underlying rapid L-channel activation may reflect rapid transitions of the voltage sensor used to trigger the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum during excitation-contraction coupling.

Evidence for two components of delayed rectifier K+ current in human ventricular myocytes

Previous voltage-clamp studies have suggested that the delayed rectifier current (IK) is small or absent in the human ventricle and, when present, consists only of the rapid component (IKr); however, molecular studies suggest the presence of functionally important IK in the human heart, specific IKr blockers are known to delay ventricular repolarization and cause the long QT syndrome in humans, and we have shown that the expression of IK is strongly influenced by cell isolation techniques. The present experiments were designed to assess the expression of IK in myocytes obtained by arterial perfusion of right ventricular tissue from explanted human hearts. Of 35 cells from three hearts, 33 (94%) showed time-dependent currents typical of IK. The envelope-of-tails test was not satisfied under control conditions but became satisfied in the presence of the benzenesulfonamide E-4031 (5 micromol/L). E-4031 suppressed a portion of IK in 32 of 33 cells, with properties of the drug-sensitive and -resistant components consistent with previous descriptions of IKr and the slow component (IKs), respectively. Action potential duration to 95% repolarization at 1 Hz was prolonged by E-4031 from 336+/-16 (mean +/- SEM) to 421 +/- 19ms (n = 5, P < .01), indicating a functional role for IK. Indapamide, a diuretic agent previously shown to inhibit IKs selectively, suppressed E-4031-resistant current. The presence of a third type of delayed rectifier, the ultrarapid delayed rectifier current (IKur), was evaluated with the use of depolarizing prepulses and low concentrations (50 micromol/L) of 4-aminopyridine. Although these techniques revealed clear IKur in five of five human atrial cells, no corresponding component was observed in any of five human ventricular myocytes. We conclude that a functionally significant IK, with components corresponding to IKr and IKs, is present in human ventricular cells, whereas IKur appears to be absent. These findings are important for understanding the molecular, physiological, and pharmacological determinants of human ventricular repolarization and arrhythmias.

Two components of delayed rectifier current in canine atrium and ventricle. Does IKs play a role in the reverse rate dependence of class III agents?

Because the number and characteristics of delayed rectifier K+ current (IK) components vary between species, the role of each component in the action potential and modulation by class III agents is uncertain. To address these issues, IK was assessed in adult isolated canine ventricular and and atrial myocytes by using whole-cell and perforated-patch techniques. IK components were characterized by using two complementary approaches: a kinetic approach (based on biexponential fits to deactivating tail currents) and a pharmacological approach approach (using the methanesulfonanilide compound E-4031). In ventricular myocytes, two exponential tail current components were distinguished; these components differed in the voltage and time dependence of activation and the effect of lower (K+). Both kinetic components contributed equally to peak tail current amplitude (measured at -35 mV) after a single 300-ms pulse to 5 mV, simulating an action potential. By use of E-4031, rapidly and slowly activating components described kinetically were identified. The activation kinetics and rectification properties of canine IKr and IKs are qualitatively similar to those described previously for guinea pigs. In contrast, canine IKr and IKs deactivation kinetics differed markedly from those found in guinea pigs, with canine IKr deactivating slowly (time constant tau, 2 to 3 s near -35 mV) and IKs deactivating rapidly (tau, 150 ms near -35 mV and decreasing to 30 ms near -85 mV). E-4031 elicited reverse rate-dependent effects (greater drug-induced prolongation of the action potential at slower stimulation rates); this effect is inconsistent with the hypothesis attributing reverse rate dependence to incomplete IKs deactivation during rapid stimulation (due to rapid deactivation of canine IKs). Two IK components with characteristics comparable to those found in ventricular myocytes were also observed in atrial myocytes. In conclusion, (1) IKr- and IKs-like components of IK are present in canine atrial and ventricular myocytes, with deactivation kinetics strikingly different from those found in guinea pigs, and (2) the rapid deactivation kinetics of canine IKs do not support its role in reverse rate dependence with class III agents in this species.

A quantitative description of the E-4031-sensitive repolarization current in rabbit ventricular myocytes

We have measured the E-4031-sensitive repolarization current (IKr) in single ventricular myocytes isolated from rabbit hearts. The primary goal of this analysis was a description of the IKr kinetic and ion transfer properties. Surprisingly, the maximum time constant of this component was 0.8 s at 33-34 degrees C, which is significantly greater than the value of 0.18 s previously reported under similar conditions in the original measurements of IKr from guinea pig ventricular myocytes. The primary, novel feature of our analysis concerns the relationship of the bell-shaped curve that describes the voltage dependence of the kinetics and the sigmoidal curve that describes the activation of IKr. The midpoint of the latter occurred at approximately +10 mV on the voltage axis, as compared to -30 mV for the point on the voltage axis at which the maximum time constant occurred. Moreover, the voltage dependence of the kinetics was much broader than the steepness of the activation curve would predict. Taken together, these results comprise a gating current paradox that is not resolved by the incorporation of a fast inactivated state in the analysis. The fully activated current-voltage relation for IKr exhibited strong inward-going rectification, so much so that the current was essentially nil at +30 mV, even though the channel opens rapidly in this voltage range. This result is consistent with the lack of effect of E-4031 on the early part of the plateau phase of the action potential. Surprisingly, the reversal potential Of /Kr was ~15 mV positive to the potassium ion equilibrium potential,which indicates that this channel carries inward current during the latter part of the repolarization phase of the action potential.

Characteristics of the delayed rectifier current (IKr and IKs) in canine ventricular epicardial, midmyocardial, and endocardial myocytes. A weaker IKs contributes to the longer action potential of the M cell

Recent studies have described regional differences in the electrophysiology and pharmacology of ventricular myocardium in canine, feline, rat, guinea pig, and human hearts. In this study, we use standard microelectrode and whole-cell patch-clamp techniques to examine the characteristics of the action potential and the delayed rectifier K+ current (IK) in epicardial, M region (deep subepicardial to midmyocardial), and endocardial cells isolated from the canine left ventricle. Cells from the M region displayed much longer action potential durations (APDs) at slow rates. At a basic cycle length of 4 s, APD measured at 90% repolarization was 358 +/- 16 (mean +/- SEM), 262 +/- 12, and 287 +/- 11 ms in cells from the M region, epicardium, and endocardium, respectively. Steady state APD-rate relations were steeper in cells from the M region. In complete Tyrode's solution, IK was smaller in myocytes from the M region when compared with those isolated from the epicardium or endocardium. Further characterization of IK was conducted in a Na(+)-, K(+)-, and Ca(2+)-free bath solution to isolate the slowly activating component of the delayed rectifier (IKs) from the rapidly activating component (IKr). IKs was significantly smaller in M cells than in epicardial and endocardial cells. With repolarization to -20 mV, IKs tail current density was 1.99 +/- 0.30 pA/pF (mean +/- SEM) in epicardial cells, 1.83 +/- 0.18 pA/pF in endocardial cells, and 0.92 +/- 0.14 pA/pF in M cells. Voltage dependence and time course of activation and deactivation of IKs were similar in the three cell types. The relative contribution of IKr and IKs among the three cell types was examined by using 6 mmol/L [K+]o Tyrode's solution with and without E-4031, a highly selective blocker of IKr. An E-4031-sensitive current was observed in the presence but not in the absence of extracellular K+. This rapidly activating component showed characteristics similar to those of IKr as described in rabbit and cat ventricular cells. Deactivation of IKr was significantly slower than that of IKs. IKr (E-4031-sensitive component) tail current density was similar in the three cell types, whereas IKs (E-4031-insensitive component) tail current density was significantly smaller in the M cells. Our results suggest that the distinctive phase-3 repolarization features of M cells are due in part to a lesser contribution of IKs and that this distinction may also explain why M cells are the main targets for agents that prolong APD in ventricular myocardium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

K+ currents and K+ channel mRNA in cultured atrial cardiac myocytes (AT-1 cells)

Atrial tumor myocytes derived from transgenic mice (AT-1 cells) maintain a well-differentiated cardiac biochemical and histological phenotype. In addition, they beat spontaneously in culture and exhibit long action potentials whose repolarization resembles that observed in native mammalian myocytes. In this study, we identified the major depolarization-activated outward currents in AT-1 cells; also, the presence of mRNAs that encode outwardly conducting ion channels was determined by cloning from an AT-1 cDNA library or by Northern hybridization. Among K+ channel isoforms, Kv2.1, minK, and Kv1.4 were readily detected in tumors and at 1 day in culture. Their abundance remained relatively stable (twofold or less change) after 14 days. The major outward current in AT-1 cells is a delayed rectifier that displays prominent inward rectification, activates rapidly (eg, 182 +/- 27 milliseconds [mean +/- SEM] at + 20 mV, n = 12), exhibits biexponential deactivation kinetics, and is extremely sensitive to the methanesulfonanilide dofetilide (IC50, 12 nmol/L). These characteristics identify this current as IKr, a delayed rectifier observed only in cardiac cells. IKr in AT-1 cells displayed slow inactivation: dofetilide-sensitive deactivating tails were greater after 1-second than after 5-second pulses. When IKr was blocked by > or = 0.5 mumol/L dofetilide, time-independent current was usually recorded (50 of 65 experiments); rapidly inactivating (6 of 65) or slowly inactivating (9 of 65) outward currents were occasionally observed. We conclude that AT-1 cells express mRNAs encoding cardiac K+ channels and display a cardiac electrophysiological phenotype.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Computer aided development of antiarrhythmic agents with class IIIa properties

Most antiarrhythmic agents were discovered accidentally. In the last decade, the understanding of the mechanisms of action of agents with electrophysiologic activity has progressed greatly. As a result, it was possible to compute, before the CAST trial, that the agents selected for the trial would not be effective against tachycardias and that the drugs would be unsafe. Extension of these computations to existing Class I agents indicated that they were all poor suppressors of ventricular tachycardia. Furthermore, a Class I agent with an optimal electrophysiologic profile still computes to be a two-edged sword, possessing both antiarrhythmic and proarrhythmic properties. Fortunately, it is possible to conceive of drug profiles that would be purer antiarrhythmic agents. For example, a drug that only upon the development of a tachycardia lengthens action potential duration in a use-dependent manner until the refractory period exceeds the tachycardia cycle length will render continuation of the tachycardia impossible. Recognition of chemicals that have Class IIIa properties with the appropriate kinetics is a challenging task. However, today's microprocessors have become powerful enough to characterize the Class III kinetics. A system that fully automatically screens for effective antiarrhythmic agents is described. It is expected that chemicals selected for optimal basic electrophysiologic properties will yield safer and more effective antiarrhythmic agents.

Imipramine blocks rapidly activating and delays slowly activating K+ current activation in guinea pig ventricular myocytes

Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant drug that also exhibits antiarrhythmic effects and whose clinical spectrum of activity is similar to that of quinidine. It has been previously demonstrated that imipramine inhibits the aggregate time-dependent outward K+ current (IK). IK is composed of at least two components: a slowly activating La(3+)-resistant delayed rectifying current (IK,s) and a rapidly activating La(3+)-sensitive current (IK,r). To assess the effects of imipramine on IK,r and IK,s, single guinea pig ventricular myocytes were studied using the nystatin-perforated patch-clamp technique in the absence and in the presence of La3+. Imipramine inhibited IK,r and IK,s in a concentration-dependent manner. The effects of imipramine on the aggregate time-dependent outward current were more marked than those on IK,s alone. Thus, 1 mumol/L imipramine decreased the tail currents elicited on return to -30 mV after long depolarizing pulses (5 seconds, from -40 to +50 mV) in the absence and in the presence of La3+ by 27 +/- 4% and 15 +/- 3% (n = 6), respectively. Moreover, the inhibition induced by imipramine was greater after short (0.5-second) pulses than after 5-second depolarizing pulses, both in the absence and in the presence of La3+ (53 +/- 3% and 30 +/- 5%, respectively; n = 6; P < .05). Imipramine did not significantly modify either the activation midpoint or the slope factor of the aggregate IK and IK,s activation curves. The reduction of IK,s by imipramine was voltage dependent and was more marked at negative membrane potentials. In the presence of 1 mumol/L imipramine, the ratio of tail current to time-dependent current remained constant at 0.37 +/- 0.03, regardless of the test pulse duration at +50 mV. Thus, the envelope-of-tails test was satisfied in the presence of 1 mumol/L imipramine, which indicates that imipramine, at this concentration, blocks IK,r. Imipramine (1, 5, and 10 mumol/L) had no effect on the kinetics of the later phase of IK activation but delayed the beginning of the activation of IK,s by 62 +/- 22, 74 +/- 23, and 155 +/- 53 milliseconds in the presence of 1, 5, and 10 mumol/L imipramine, respectively. These results suggest that imipramine preferentially blocks rapidly activating K+ channels. In addition, experiments performed in the presence of 30 mumol/L La3+ suggest that the drug preferentially binds, but maybe not exclusively, to a closed state of the slowly activating K+ channel.

Choline chloride activates time-dependent and time-independent K+ currents in dog atrial myocytes

Using the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique, we studied the effect of isotonic replacement of bath sodium chloride (NaCl) by choline chloride (ChCl) in dog atrial myocytes. Our results show that ChCl triggered 1) activation of a time-independent background current, characterized by a shift of the holding current in the outward direction at potentials positive to the K+ equilibrium potential (EK), and 2) activation of a time- and voltage-dependent outward current, following depolarizing voltage steps positive to EK. Because the choline-induced current obtained by depolarizing steps exhibited properties similar to the delayed rectifier K+ current (IK), we named it IKCh. The amplitude of IKCh was determined by extracellular ChCl concentration, and this current was generally undetectable in the absence of ChCl. IKCh was not activated by acetylcholine (0.001-1.0 mM) or carbachol (10 microM) and could not be recorded in the absence of ChCl or when external NaCl was replaced by sucrose or tetramethylammonium chloride. IKCh was inhibited by atropine (0.01-1.0 microM) but not by the M1 antagonist pirenzepine (up to 10 microM). This current was carried mainly by K+ and was inhibited by CsCl (120 mM, in the pipette) or barium (1 mM, in the bath). We conclude that in dog atrial myocytes, ChCl activates a background conductance comparable to ACh-dependent K+ current, together with a time-dependent K+ current showing properties similar to IK.

The min K channel underlies the cardiac potassium current IKs and mediates species-specific responses to protein kinase C

A clone encoding the guinea pig (gp) min K potassium channel was isolated and expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The currents, gpIsK, exhibit many of the electrophysiological and pharmacological properties characteristic of gpIKs, the slow component of the delayed rectifier potassium conductance in guinea pig cardiac myocytes. Depolarizing commands evoke outward potassium currents that activate slowly, with time constants on the order of seconds. The currents are blocked by the class III antiarrhythmic compound clofilium but not by the sotalol derivative E4031 or low concentrations of lanthanum. Like IKs in guinea pig myocytes, gpIsK is modulated by stimulation of protein kinase A and protein kinase C (PKC). In contrast to rat and mouse IsK, which are decreased upon stimulation of PKC, myocyte IK and gpIsK in oocytes are increased after PKC stimulation. Substitution of an asparagine residue at position 102 by serine (N102S), the residue found in the analogous position of the mouse and rat min K proteins, results in decreased gpIsK in response to PKC stimulation. These results support the hypothesis that the min K protein underlies the slow component of the delayed rectifier potassium current in ventricular myocytes and account for the species-specific responses to stimulation of PKC.

Molecular and functional diversity of cloned cardiac potassium channels

Action potential duration is an important determinant of refractoriness in cardiac tissue and thus of the ability to propagate electrical impulses. Action potential duration is controlled in part by activation of K+ currents. Block of K+ channels and the resultant prolongation of action potential duration has become an increasingly attractive mode of anti-arrhythmic intervention. Detailed investigation of individual cardiac K+ channels has been hampered by the presence of multiple types of K+ channels in cardiac cells and the difficulty of isolating individual currents. We have approached this problem by employing a combination molecular cloning technology, heterologous channel expression systems, and biophysical analysis of expressed channels. We have focused on six different channels cloned from the rat and human cardiovascular systems. Each channel has unique functional and pharmacological characteristics, and as a group they comprise a series of mammalian K+ channel isoforms that can account for some of the diversity of channels in the mammalian heart. Each channel appears to be encoded by a different gene with little or no evidence for alternate splicing of RNA transcripts to account for the differences in primary amino acid sequence. In addition to the unique kinetic properties of these channel isoforms when expressed as homotetrameric assemblies, the formation of heterotetrameric K+ channels is also observed. The formation of heterotetrameric channels from the different gene products to create new channels with unique kinetic and pharmacological properties might further account for cardiac K+ channel diversity.

Delayed rectifier potassium channels in ventricle and sinoatrial node of the guinea pig: molecular and regulatory properties

We focus on the regulatory properties of delayed rectifier K+ (IK) channels in guinea-pig sinoatrial node (SAN) and compare SAN IK to the better characterized ventricular IK. Despite demonstrated similarities in the properties of IK in guinea-pig ventricle and SAN, the possibility remains that expression of IK channels can vary regionally within the same heart. Like ventricular IK, SAN IK can be enhanced by beta-adrenergic stimulation and exposure to phorbol ester. However, in contrast to ventricular IK, regulation of SAN IK by protein kinases A and C is not temperature dependent. Basal SAN IK can be diminished by muscarinic agonists, while beta-adrenergic stimulation is a precondition for reduction of ventricular IK by cholinergic agonists. Nonstationary state fluctuation analysis predicts a small single-channel current (1 pA) and a large number of functional channels (308) associated with whole-cell SAN IK. The corresponding single-channel conductance of 6 pS is somewhat larger than that estimated for ventricular IK. Overall comparisons of guinea-pig ventricular and SAN IK to the current associated with the minK channel clone suggest that the native guinea-pig cardiac IK channels may be related not only to each other but lso to the minK channel protein.

Delayed rectifier outward current and repolarization in human atrial myocytes

Previous work has suggested that the primary time-dependent repolarizing current in human atrium is the transient outward current (Ito), but interventions known to alter the magnitude of the delayed rectifier current (IK) affect atrial electrophysiology and arrhythmias in humans. To explore the potential role of IK in human atrial tissue, we used the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique to record action potentials and ionic currents in isolated myocytes from human atrium. A delayed outward current was present in the majority of myocytes, activating with a time constant ranging from 348 +/- 61 msec (mean +/- SEM) at -20 mV to 129 +/- 25 msec at +60 mV. The reversal potential of tail currents was linearly related to log [K+]o with a slope of 55 mV per decade, and fully activated tail currents showed inward rectification. The potassium selectivity, kinetics, and voltage dependence were similar to those reported for IK in other cardiac preparations. In cells with both Ito and IK, IK greatly exceeded both components of Ito (Ito1 and Ito2) within 50 msec of a voltage step from -70 to +20 mV. Based on the relative magnitude of Ito and IK, three types of cells could be distinguished: type 1 (58% [73/126] of the cells) displayed a large Ito together with a clear IK, type 2 (13% [17/126] of the cells) displayed only IK, and type 3 (29% [36/126] of the cells) was characterized by a prominent Ito and negligible IK. Consistent differences in action potential morphology were observed, with type 2 cells having a higher plateau and steeper phase 3 slope and type 3 cells showing a triangular action potential and lesser phase 3 slope compared with type 1 cells. We conclude that IK is present in a majority of human atrial myocytes and may play a significant role in their repolarization and that previously observed variability in human atrial action potential morphology may be partially due to differences in the relative magnitude of time-dependent outward currents.

Ionic currents and action potentials in rabbit, rat, and guinea pig ventricular myocytes

Distinct differences exist in action potentials and ionic currents between rabbit, rat, and guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Data obtained at room temperature indicate that about half of the rabbit myocytes show prominent phase 1 repolarization and transient outward current. Action potentials in guinea pig ventricular myocytes resemble those from rabbit myocytes not exhibiting phase 1 repolarization; and guinea pig myocytes do not develop transient outward current. Rat ventricular action potentials are significantly shorter than those from rabbit and guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Unlike rabbit and guinea pig myocytes, rat ventricular myocytes also exhibit a prominent phase 1 and lack a well defined plateau phase during repolarization. All rat ventricular myocytes exhibit a transient outward current which can be best fitted by a double exponential relation. There are no significant differences between the amplitude, voltage dependence and inactivation kinetics of the inward calcium currents observed in rabbit, rat and guinea pig. The steady-state current-voltage relations between -120 mV and -20 mV, which mostly represent the inward rectifier potassium current are similar in rabbit and guinea pig. The amplitude of this current is significantly less in rat ventricular myocytes. The outward currents activated upon depolarization to between -10 and +50 mV are different in the three species. Only a negligible, or absent, delayed rectifier outward current has been observed in rabbit and rat; however, a relatively large delayed rectifier current has been found in guinea pig. These large interspecies variations in outward membrane currents help explain the differences in action potential configurations observed in rabbit, rat, and guinea pig.

Actions and mechanisms of action of novel analogues of sotalol on guinea-pig and rabbit ventricular cells

1. The actions and mechanisms of action of novel analogues of sotalol which prolong cardiac action potentials were investigated in guinea-pig and rabbit isolated ventricular cells. 2. In guinea-pig and rabbit cells the compounds significantly prolonged action potential duration at 20% and 90% repolarization levels without affecting resting membrane potential. In guinea-pig but not rabbit cells there was an increase in action potential amplitude and in rabbit cells there was no change in the shape or position of the 'notch' in the action potential. 3. Possible mechanisms of action were studied in more detail in the case of compound II (1-(4-methanesulphonamidophenoxy)-3-(N-methyl 3,4 dichlorophenylethylamino)-2-propanol). Prolongation of action potential duration continued to occur in the presence of nisoldipine, and calcium currents recorded under voltage-clamp conditions were not reduced by compound II (1 microM). Action potential prolongation by compound II was also unaffected in the presence of 10 microM tetrodotoxin. 4. Compound II (1 microM) did not influence IK1 assessed from the current during ramp changes in membrane potential (20 mV s-1) over the range -90 to -10 mV. 5. Compound II (1 microM) blocked time-dependent delayed rectifier potassium current (IK) activated by step depolarizations and recorded as an outward tail following repolarization. When a submaximal concentration (50 nM) was applied there was no change in the apparent reversal potential of IK.6. Submaximal concentrations of compound II were without effect on activation of IK with time at a membrane potential of + 40 mV, and no changes were detected in the time constants of the two components of IK decay over the range of potentials - 60 to 0 mV. Compound 11 (50 nM) appeared to cause a small shift in the activation of IK with membrane potential (an apparent shift of approximately 10mV in the depolarizing direction at the mid-point of the curve).7. Log dose-response curves for action potential prolongation and for blockade of IK by compound II were similar. The IC50 for compound II was approximately 30 nM.8. It is concluded that this novel series of compounds prolongs action potential duration, and that in the case of compound II the evidence supports a potent selective effect on the time-dependent potassium current IK, an effect which can account for this prolongation.

Distinct voltage-dependent regulation of a heart-delayed IK by protein kinases A and C

We have investigated the effects of stimulation of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase A) and Ca(2+)-diacylglycerol-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) on the delayed rectifier K+ current (IK) in guinea pig ventricular cells using a whole cell arrangement of the patch-clamp procedure. Stimulation of either protein kinase C or A resulted in enhanced IK activity. Augmentation of IK observed during stimulation of protein kinase A occurred in a markedly voltage-dependent manner, with the largest increases occurring at potentials near the threshold for IK activation. Enhancement of IK during stimulation of protein kinase C followed a different pattern, with minimal effects of the enzyme near IK threshold. Neither protein kinase A nor C altered the kinetics of IK activation, although both kinases slightly changed the kinetics of deactivation. Both kinases increased IK maximal conductance, but the effects of each kinase on the voltage-dependence of activation differed. Protein kinase A shifted IK activation toward more negative voltages but did not affect the slope of the activation curve. Protein kinase C, in contrast, changed the slope of the IK activation curve, with only a small effect on the half-maximal voltage of activation. These contrasting effects on the voltage dependence of IK activation are consistent with actions of the kinases at distinct sites on or near the IK channel protein.

Cloning and expression of a rat cardiac delayed rectifier potassium channel

We have cloned a cDNA (designated RAK) coding for a delayed-rectifier K current (IRAK) from adult rat heart atrium and expressed it in Xenopus oocytes. RAK differs from the cloned rat brain K current, BK2 [McKinnon, D. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 8230-8236], by one amino acid at residue 411. RAK expressed in oocytes compares closely to the intrinsic adult rat atrial delayed-rectifier current measured by using whole-cell recording of single isolated cells. Northern blot analysis confirmed the presence of the channel in adult rat atrium, and to a lesser extent, in rat ventricle. IRAK activates with time constants ranging from 58 ms at -20 mV to 6 ms at +60 mV and does not show significant inactivation over 800 ms. It is blocked by 4-aminopyridine greater than barium much greater than tetraethylammonium chloride, which is similar to the relative potencies of these blockers on the native delayed rectifier current. We conclude that the main delayed rectifier K current in adult rat atria is virtually identical to a neuronal delayed rectifier, BK2.

A voltage-dependent potassium current in rabbit coronary artery smooth muscle cells

1. Voltage- and time-dependent outward currents were recorded from relaxed enzymatically isolated smooth muscle cells from the rabbit left descending coronary artery using a single pipette voltage clamp technique. The calcium-activated potassium current was blocked by inclusion of EGTA in the pipette solution and CdCl2 in the extracellular bath. 2. Outward currents were elicited with depolarizing voltage steps to potentials positive to -20 mV. Long (5 s) voltage steps revealed slow inactivation of the current with a time constant of nearly 3 s at +60 mV. Potassium was identified as the predominant charge carrier by reversal potential measurements in potassium substitution experiments. 3. The results of kinetic analyses compared favourably with the Hodgkin-Huxley model for a delayed rectifier with some deviations. The sigmoid current onset was best fitted by raising the activation variable (n) to the second power. Deactivation tail currents were consistently found to be comprised of two exponential components. The kinetics of activation and deactivation were strongly voltage-dependent from -80 to +60 mV. 4. Envelope of tails experiments showed that the scaled tail current amplitudes followed the kinetic behaviour of current activation. The contribution of each of the two exponential tail components was also measured in these experiments. They did not reveal kinetically separable currents, nor were they differentially altered by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), tetraethylammonium (TEA), or elevated [K+]o. 5. The steady-state voltage-dependence curves for both activation and inactivation were well fitted by a Boltzmann distribution with V1/2 = -5.60 mV and k = -8.66 mV for n infinity act and V1/2 = -24.20 mV and k = 5.16 mV for n infinity act. Super-imposition of the two curves revealed a 'window' of voltage where channels are available for activation without completely inactivating. 6. Neither of the commonly used potassium channel blockers, TEA or 4-AP, were particularly effective blockers of IK, reducing current by only 50-70% at an extracellular concentration of 10 mM. TEA block was mildly voltage-dependent and was more effective in reducing current towards the end of a 500 ms depolarization. 4-AP, on the other hand, demonstrated considerable voltage-dependence and preferentially reduced early currents. 7. Outward currents recorded from guinea-pig and human coronary artery myocytes under the same conditions as in the rabbit cell experiments displayed similar characteristics.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Potassium channels and the repolarization of cardiac cells

What is the contribution of a particular potassium current to the repolarization of cardiac myocytes? The traditional answer to this question requires clamping the cells with step voltages, finding models that describe how individual currents depend on voltage and time, driving these models with action potentials to calculate the action currents, and evaluating the contribution of each pathway to repolarization from the action currents. Another method is to measure the action currents directly from beating cells. We isolated potassium channels in cell-attached patches and averaged the current over many beats. The average channel current, mean value of i(t), is a miniature version of the action current through corresponding channels in the membrane outside the patch. The time integral of this current, scaled by channel density, N, and membrane capacity, C, is the contribution of that particular pathway to the action potential: Vi(t) = -Ni integral of to mean value of i(u) du/C Using this procedure, we have found that the delayed rectifier, IK, turns on virtually without delay following the upstroke of the action potential and gradually declines during the plateau and repolarization phases, having nearly the shape of the action potential itself. The inward rectifier, IKl, may conduct little current during the plateau and is under the control of internal Ca. The traditional method of measuring action currents from step voltage-clamp records gives qualitatively similar results. Differences may arise because factors other than voltage modulate potassium currents in beating cells.

Global parameter optimization for cardiac potassium channel gating models

Quantitative ion channel model evaluation requires the estimation of voltage dependent rate constants. We have tested whether a unique set of rate constants can be reliably extracted from nonstationary macroscopic voltage clamp potassium current data. For many models, the rate constants derived independently at different membrane potentials are not unique. Therefore, our approach has been to use the exponential voltage dependence predicted from reaction rate theory (Stevens, C. F. 1978. Biophys. J. 22:295-306; Eyring, H., S. H. Lin, and S. M. Lin. 1980. Basic Chemical Kinetics. Wiley and Sons, New York) to couple the rate constants derived at different membrane potentials. This constrained the solution set of rate constants to only those that also obeyed this additional set of equations, which was sufficient to obtain a unique solution. We have tested this approach with data obtained from macroscopic delayed rectifier potassium channel currents in voltage-clamped guinea pig ventricular myocyte membranes. This potassium channel has relatively simple kinetics without an inactivation process and provided a convenient system to determine a globally optimized set of voltage-dependent rate constants for a Markov kinetic model. The ability of the fitting algorithm to extract rate constants from the macroscopic current data was tested using "data" synthesized from known rate constants. The simulated data sets were analyzed with the global fitting procedure and the fitted rate constants were compared with the rate constants used to generate the data. Monte Carlo methods were used to examine the accuracy of the estimated kinetic parameters. This global fitting approach provided a useful and convenient method for reliably extracting Markov rate constants from macroscopic voltage clamp data over a broad range of membrane potentials. The limitations of the method and the dependence on initial guesses are described.

Class III antiarrhythmic agents have a lot of potential but a long way to go. Reduced effectiveness and dangers of reverse use dependence

With regard to currently available class III agents, although their class III effect may reduce the likelihood of tachycardia initiation, their reverse use-dependent prolongation of action potential duration reduces their effectiveness during tachycardias and may even render them proarrhythmic, especially after long diastolic intervals. In contrast, agents that exhibit normal use-dependent prolongation of refractoriness hold great promise: While having relatively less effects on the normal heart beat, they could induce self-termination of a tachycardia. Prolongation of refractoriness can be achieved by lengthening of action potential duration and delaying recovery of excitability. Combination of these drug actions may yield important clinical applications.

Delayed K+ current and external K+ in single cardiac Purkinje cells

The effect of external K+ on the delayed K+ current was investigated in rabbit single Purkinje cells. Whole cell voltage clamp and intracellular dialysis were used. At K+ concentrations less than 1 mM the kinetics of the delayed K+ current were not changed, but the conductance was markedly reduced. This effect was due to a direct change at an extracellular site and not due to secondary changes in intracellular Na+ or Ca2+ concentrations. A rise in intracellular Na+ or Ca2+ rather increased the delayed K+ current. The decrease in the delayed K+ current in low external K+ was absent when the experiments were done in Na+-free solution. It is concluded that external Na+ exerts an inhibitory effect on the conductance of the delayed K+ current.

Ionic basis and analytical solution of the wenckebach phenomenon in guinea pig ventricular myocytes

The ionic mechanisms of slow recovery of cardiac excitability and rate-dependent activation failure were studied in single, enzymatically dissociated guinea pig ventricular myocytes and in computer simulations using a modified version of the Beeler and Reuter model for the ventricular cell. On the basis of our results, we developed a simplified analytical model for recovery of cell excitability during diastole. This model was based on the equations for current distribution in a resistive-capacitive circuit. A critical assumption in the model is that, in the voltage domain of the subthreshold responses, the sodium and calcium inward currents do not play a significant role, and only the two potassium outward currents, the delayed rectifier (IK) and the inward rectifier, are operative. The appropriate parameters needed to numerically solve the analytical model were measured in the guinea pig ventricular myocyte, as well as in the Beeler and Reuter cell. The curves of recovery of excitability and the rate-dependent activation patterns generated by numerical iteration of the analytical model equations closely reproduced the experimental results. Our analysis demonstrates that slow deactivation of the delayed rectifier current determines the observed variations in excitability during diastole, whereas the inward rectifier current determines the amplitude and shape of the subthreshold response. Both currents combined are responsible for the development of Wenckebach periodicities in the ventricular cell. The overall study provides new insight into the ionic mechanisms of rate-dependent conduction block processes and may have important clinical implications as well.

K channel kinetics during the spontaneous heart beat in embryonic chick ventricle cells

By averaging the current that passes through cell-attached patches on beating heart cells, while measuring action potentials with a whole-cell electrode, we were able to study K channels during beating. In 7-d chick ventricle in 1.3 mM K physiological solutions at room temperature, delayed-rectifier channels have three linear conductance states: 60, 30, and 15 pS. The 60 and 15 pS conductances can exist alone, but all three states may appear in the same patch as interconverting conductance levels. The delayed-rectifier conductance states have low densities (less than 10 channels per 10-microns diam cell), and all have a reversal potential near -75 mV and the same average kinetics. Outward K current through delayed-rectifier channels follows the upstroke without appreciable delay and lasts throughout the action potential. No inward current flows through delayed-rectifier channels during beating. The early outward channel has a nonlinear conductance of 18-9 pS depending on the potential. It also turns on immediately after the upstroke of the action potential and lasts on average only 50 ms. The early outward channel has an extrapolated reversal potential near -30 mV; no inward current flows during beating. The inward-rectifier has an extrapolated conductance and reversal potential of 2-3 pS and -80 mV in 1.3 mM K. Channel kinetics are independent of external K between 10 and 120 mM, and the channel conducts current only during the late repolarization and diastolic phases of the action potential. No outward current flows through inward-rectifier channels during beating. This work parallels a previous study of Na channels using similar techniques (Mazzanti, M., and L. J. DeFelice. 1987, Biophys. J. 52:95-100).

Repolarization current in embryonic chick atrial heart cells

1. We have measured the delayed rectifier potassium current, IK, with the whole-cell patch-clamp technique from single cultured cells from the atria of 6- to 11-day-old chick embryonic hearts. 2. The IK component was activated with depolarizing voltage-clamp steps positive to -30 mV (holding potential in the -60 to -40 mV range). Maximum activation of the IK conductance occurred at +25 mV, based on deactivation, or tail current amplitudes upon return to the holding potential. Activation and tail current kinetics could both be described by single-exponential functions of time. 3. The IK kinetics were voltage dependent, with a maximum time constant, tau n, of approximately 2 s at V = -20 mV. 4. The IK reversal potential measurements suggest that this current is carried predominantly by potassium ions. 5. The IK results from single cells, or clusters of two or three cells, were comparable to our recent measurements of IK (IX2) in heart cell aggregates (Shrier & Clay, 1986). However, we did not obtain clear evidence in single cells for the IX1 repolarization current, in contrast to the aggregate results. 6. Computer simulations based on our IK measurements demonstrate that this component is sufficient to initiate repolarization of the action potential in single cells. However, it is not sufficient to reproduce the latter phase of repolarization for potentials negative to -30 mV. Addition of a relatively small IX1 component (2% in absolute terms compared to the aggregate work) is sufficient to account for this part of the action potential.

Quinidine delays IK activation in guinea pig ventricular myocytes

A major action of the antiarrhythmic agent quinidine is prolongation of cardiac repolarization. In these experiments, the time-dependent effects of quinidine on the delayed rectifier potassium current, IK, a current contributing to cardiac repolarization, were investigated in acutely disaggregated guinea pig ventricular myocytes using the whole-cell recording configuration of the patch-clamp method. The effect of quinidine on IK was dependent on the duration of depolarization. After long (2,000 msec) pulses, IK was reduced by 30 +/- 27% (SD; n = 8, paired) by 10 microM quinidine; in contrast, after short (100 msec) pulses, the drug decreased IK 65 +/- 35% (p less than 0.05). This effect was found both in paired experiments as well as when quinidine-pretreated cells were compared to non-pretreated cells. Quinidine significantly delayed IK activation (9 +/- 20 msec at baseline vs. 44 +/- 25 msec in drug, p less than 0.05), but did not alter the subsequent time course of activation (time constant 659 +/- 118 msec). These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that quinidine promotes occupancy of a channel state from which opening does not occur.

An analysis of the delayed outward current in single ventricular cells of the guinea-pig

Properties of the delayed outward current (IK) in ventricular myocytes of the guinea-pig were studied using the whole cell clamp method. The experiments were performed under conditions in which IK was enhanced by application of isoproterenol while the Ca2+ current was eliminated by Ca2+-removal and by the addition of Cd2+. The reversal potential (Erev) of IK, determined from the current tails, was about 10 mV less negative than the K+ equilibrium potential. This was estimated by examining the reversal potential of the inward rectifier K+ current in Ba2+-containing solution, or from the Nernst equation. The Erev--log[K+]o relationship had a slope of 49 mV per tenfold change in [K+]o. In Na+-free solution, Erev became more negative. Thus, although the major charge carriers in IK are K+ ions, Na+ ions may also contribute in part to this current. The PNa/PK ratio in IK, calculated by applying a Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz relation to the reversal potential, was 0.016. The activation of IK during depolarization showed a sigmoidal time course at the onset, while the time course of the current tails was monoexponential at voltages more negative than-50 mV, but biexponential at more positive voltages. These observations can be explained by the conductance equation of the Hodgkin-Huxley type in which the kinetic variable is raised to the second power. These and other features of IK observed in the ventricular cells are discussed in comparison to the properties of similar current systems reported in other cardiac preparations.

Passive properties and membrane currents of canine ventricular myocytes

The membrane potential and membrane currents of single canine ventricular myocytes were studied using either single microelectrodes or suction pipettes. The myocytes displayed passive membrane properties and an action potential configuration similar to those described for multicellular dog ventricular tissue. As for other cardiac cells, in canine ventricular myocytes: (a) an inward rectifier current plays an important role in determining the resting membrane potential and repolarization rate; (b) a tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na current helps maintain the action potential plateau; and (c) the Ca current has fast kinetics and a large amplitude. Unexpected findings were the following: (a) in approximately half of the myocytes, there is a transient outward current composed of two components, one blocked by 4-aminopyridine and the other by Mn or caffeine; (b) there is clearly a time-dependent outward current (delayed rectifier current) that contributes to repolarization; and (c) the relationship of maximum upstroke velocity of phase 0 to membrane potential is more positive and steeper than that observed in cardiac tissues from Purkinje fibers.

Calcium- and voltage-activated plateau currents of cardiac Purkinje fibers

We have used the two-microelectrode voltage-clamp technique to investigate the components of membrane current that contribute to the formation of the early part of the plateau phase of the action potential of calf cardiac Purkinje fibers. 3,4-Diaminopyridine (50 microM) reduced the net transient outward current elicited by depolarizations to potentials positive to -30 mV but had no consistent effect on contraction. We attribute this effect to the blockade of a voltage-activated transient potassium current component. Ryanodine (1 microM), an inhibitor of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release and intracellular calcium oscillations in Purkinje fibers (Sutko, J.L., and J.L. Kenyon. 1983. Journal of General Physiology. 82:385-404), had complex effects on membrane currents as it abolished phasic contractions. At early times during a depolarization (5-30 ms), ryanodine reduced the net outward current. We attribute this effect to the loss of a component of calcium-activated potassium current caused by the inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release and the intracellular calcium transient. At later times during a depolarization (50-200 ms), ryanodine increased the net outward current. This effect was not seen in low-sodium solutions and we could not observe a reversal potential over a voltage range of -100 to +75 mV. These data suggest that the effect of ryanodine on the late membrane current is attributable to the loss of sodium-calcium exchange current caused by the inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release and the intracellular calcium transient. Neither effect of ryanodine was dependent on chloride ions, which suggests that chloride ions do not carry the ryanodine-sensitive current components. Strontium (2.7 mM replacing calcium) and caffeine (10 mM), two other treatments that interfere with sarcoplasmic reticulum function, had effects in common with ryanodine. This supports the hypothesis that the effects of ryanodine may be attributed to the inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release.

Cardiac cellular electrophysiology: past and present

The time-course of the cardiac action potential can be accounted for in terms of ionic currents crossing the cell membranes. Depolarizing current is carried by Na+ or Ca2+ entering the cells, repolarizing current by K+ leaving the cells. Membrane permeability for the passive movement of these ions is thought to be voltage-dependent as well as time-dependent. Net transfer of charge may also result from active transport, 2 Na+ out against 1 K+ in; or coupled exchange, 3 or 4 Na+ in against 1 Ca2+ out. This review follows the path by which present-day knowledge has been reached. It also gives a few examples to illustrate that electrophysiology has provided concepts useful to clinical cardiology.

Voltage-dependent modulation of Ca channel current in heart cells by Bay K8644

We have investigated the voltage-dependent effects of the dihydropyridine Bay K8644 on Ca channel currents in calf Purkinje fibers and enzymatically dispersed rat ventricular myocytes. Bay K8644 increases the apparent rate of inactivation of these currents, measured during depolarizing voltage pulses, and shifts both channel activation and inactivation in the hyperpolarizing direction. Consequently, currents measured after hyperpolarizing conditioning pulses are larger in the presence of drug compared with control conditions, but are smaller than control if they are measured after positive conditioning pulses. Most of our experimental observations on macroscopic currents can be explained by a single drug-induced change in one rate constant of a simple kinetic model. The rate constant change is consistent with results obtained by others with single channel recordings.

Adrenergic modulation of the delayed rectifier potassium channel in calf cardiac Purkinje fibers

We have investigated the modulation of the delayed rectifier potassium channel in calf cardiac Purkinje fibers by the neurohormone norepinephrine. We find that 0.5 microM norepinephrine increases this K channel current by a factor of 2.7. A maximal increase of about four was found for concentrations of 1 microM and above. Norepinephrine produced a small (less than 5 mV) and variable shift of the K channel reversal potential toward more negative values. The kinetics of the potassium channel are well described by a two-exponential process, both in the absence and presence of norepinephrine. However, norepinephrine substantially decreases the slower time constant with no significant effect on the fast time constant. Potassium channel activation curves in the presence of norepinephrine are very similar to control curves except at large positive potentials. A simple sequential three-state model for this channel can reproduce these data both with and without norepinephrine. The logarithms of the rate constants derived from this model are quadratic functions of voltage, suggesting the involvement of electric field-induced dipoles in the gating of this channel. Most of the kinetic effects of norepinephrine appear to be on a single rate constant.