Post-transcriptional gene silencing of KChIP2 and Navβ1 in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes reveals a functional association between Na and Ito currents

Isabelle Deschênes, Antonis A. Armoundas, Steven P. Jones, Gordon F. Tomaselli

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Ca2+-independent transient outward potassium current (Ito) encoded by the Kv4 family of potassium channels, is central to normal repolarization of cardiac myocytes. KChIPs are a group of Ca2+-binding accessory subunits that modulate Kv4-encoded currents. However, the biophysical effects of KChIP2 on Kv4 currents raise questions about the role that KChIP2 plays in forming the native Ito. Previous heterologous expression studies demonstrated that the Na channel β1 subunit modulates the gating properties of Kv4.3 to closely recapitulate native Ito suggesting that Navβ1 may modulate the function of Kv4-encoded channels in native cardiomyocytes. Therefore we hypothesized the existence of a structural or functional complex between subunits of Ito and INa. In co-immunoprecipitation of proteins from neonatal rat ventricular myocardium (NRVM), Navβ1 was pulled-down by Kv4.x antibodies suggesting a structural association between subunits that comprise Ito and INa. Remarkably, post-transcriptional gene silencing of KChIP2 in NRVM, using small interfering RNAs specific to KChIP2, suppressed both cardiac Ito and INa consistent with a functional coupling of these channels. KChIP2 silencing suppressed Na channel α and β1 subunit mRNA levels, leaving Kv4.x mRNAs unaltered, but reducing levels of immunoreactive proteins. Post-transcriptional gene silencing of Navβ1 reduced its protein expression. Silencing of Navβ1 also reduced mRNA and protein levels of its α-subunit, Nav1.5. Surprisingly, silencing of Navβ1 also produced a reduction in KChIP2 mRNA and protein as well as Kv4.x proteins resulting in remarkably decreased INa and Ito. These data are consistent with a novel structural and functional association of INa and Ito in NRVMs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)336-346
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology
Volume45
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2008

Keywords

  • Gene silencing
  • Ion channel
  • Patch-clamp
  • Sodium channel
  • Transient outward potassium channel

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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