PMID: 8945930Nov 1, 1996Paper

Inactivation of the calcium current is involved in overdrive suppression of rabbit sinoatrial node cells

The American Journal of Physiology
E I WatanabeJ Toyama

Abstract

The contribution of inactivation of the L-type Ca2+ current (iCa) to overdrive suppression was investigated in rabbit sinoatrial (SA) node cells by use of the whole cell patch-clamp technique. In the current-clamp mode, rapid stimulation (6.7 Hz) for 30 s was followed by a transient increase in the cycle length of spontaneous action potentials of 135 +/- 52% (n = 3), i.e., "overdrive suppression." The iCa was measured in the voltage-clamp mode in the presence of 30 microM tetrodotoxin. An increase in the rate of depolarizing pulses (to 0 mV for 100 ms) from 1 to 6.7 Hz from a holding potential (HP) of -40 mV resulted in an abrupt, followed by a progressive, decrease in iCa; after 30 s of stimulation at 6.7 Hz, iCa was reduced to 15.5 +/- 1.8% (n = 4) of the control at 1 Hz. With an HP of -80 mV, a similar increase in the pulse rate caused much less reduction in iCa. When spontaneous action potentials were interrupted by a 30-s train of high-frequency voltage-clamp pulses (to 0 mV for 100 ms; 6.7 Hz) from an HP of -40 mV, there was again a marked decrease in iCa during the train, and after the train there was a transient suppression of spontaneous activity. In contrast, a similar interruption by high-frequency voltage-clamp puls...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.