Critical roles of a small conductance Ca2+-activated K + channel (SK3) in the repolarization process of atrial myocytes

Xiao Dong Zhang, Valeriy Timofeyev, Ning Li, Richard E. Myers, Dai Min Zhang, Anil Singapuri, Victor C. Lau, Chris T. Bond, John Adelman, Deborah K. Lieu, Nipavan Chiamvimonvat

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

AimsSmall conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (KCa2 or SK channels) have been reported in excitable cells, where they aid in integrating changes in intracellular Ca2+ () with membrane potentials. We have recently reported the functional expression of SK channels in human and mouse cardiac myocytes. Additionally, we have found that the channel is highly expressed in atria compared with the ventricular myocytes. We demonstrated that human cardiac myocytes expressed all three members of SK channels (SK1, 2, and 3); moreover, the different members are capable of forming heteromultimers. Here, we directly tested the contribution of SK3 to the overall repolarization of atrial action potentials.Methods and resultsWe took advantage of a mouse model with site-specific insertion of a tetracycline-based genetic switch in the 5′ untranslated region of the KCNN3 (SK3 channel) gene (SK3T/T). The gene-targeted animals overexpress the SK3 channel without interfering with the normal profile of SK3 expression. Whole-cell, patch-clamp techniques show a significant shortening of the action potential duration mainly at 90% repolarization (APD90) in atrial myocytes from the homozygous SK3T/T animals. Conversely, treatment with dietary doxycycline results in a significant prolongation of APD90 in atrial myocytes from SK3T/T animals. We further demonstrate that the shortening of APDs in SK3 overexpression mice predisposes the animals to inducible atrial arrhythmias.ConclusionSK3 channel contributes importantly towards atrial action potential repolarization. Our data suggest the important role of the SK3 isoform in atrial myocytes. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)317-325
Number of pages9
JournalCardiovascular research
Volume101
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2014

Keywords

  • Action potential duration
  • Atrial arrhythmia
  • Atrial myocyte
  • Repolarization
  • Small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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