Properties of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in rabbit ventricular myocytes expressing Ca2+ channel α1E cDNA

Abstract

Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we have studied the properties of α1ECa2+ channel transfected in cardiac myocytes. We have also investigated the effect of foreign gene expression on the intrinsic L-type current ( I Ca,L). Expression of green fluorescent protein significantly decreased the I Ca,L. By contrast, expression of α1E with β2b and α2/δ significantly increased the total Ca2+ current, and in these cells a Ca2+ antagonist, PN-200-110 (PN), only partially blocked the current. The remaining PN-resistant current was abolished by the application of a low concentration of Ni2+and was little affected by changing the charge carrier from Ca2+ to Ba2+ or by β-adrenergic stimulation. On the basis of its voltage range for activation, this channel was classified as a high-voltage activated channel. Thus the expression of α1E did not generate T-like current in cardiac myocytes. On the other hand, expression of α1E decreased I Ca,L and slowed the I Ca,L inactivation. This inactivation slowing was attenuated by the β2b coexpression, suggesting that the α1E may slow the inactivation of I Ca,L by scrambling with α1C for intrinsic auxiliary β.