Abstract
We report the expression of voltage-dependent Na+ channels in Xenopus oocytes injected with total RNA isolated from explanted human hearts. The expressed channels demonstrate characteristic voltage-dependent gating, inhibition by tetrodotoxin, and selectivity for Na+. Oocytes injected with sterile water or intentionally degraded RNA had no similar channel activity. The antiarrhythmic agent lidocaine (20 μM) inhibits current flow through the channel in a voltage-dependent fashion. Na+ channels expressed by injection of human cardiac RNA into Xenopus oocytes qualitatively resemble channels in the native tissue.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology |
| Volume | 258 |
| Issue number | 3 27-3 |
| State | Published - 1990 |
Keywords
- antiarrhythmic drugs, tetrodotoxin
- heterologous expression
- ion channels
- lidocaine
- sodium current
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology