Characterization of the effects of ryanodine, TTX, E-4031 and 4-AP on the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes

AIMS

To characterize the effects of inhibition of Ryanodine receptor (RyR), TTX-sensitive neuronal Na+ current (iNa), "rapidly activating" delayed rectifier K+ current (iKr) and ultrarapid delayed rectifier potassium current (IKur) on the pacemaker activity of the sinoatrial node (SAN) and the atrioventricular node (AVN) in the mouse.

METHODS

The structure of mouse AVN was studied by histology and immunolabelling of Cx43 and hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-binding channels (HCN). The effects of Ryanodine, TTX, E-4031 and 4-AP on pacemaker activities recorded from mouse intact SAN and AVN preparations have been investigated.

RESULTS

Immuno-histological characterization delineated the structure of the AVN showing the similar molecular phenotype of the SAN. The effects of these inhibitors on the cycle length (CL) of the spontaneous pacemaker activity of the SAN and the AVN were characterized. Inhibition of RyR by 0.2 and 2 microM Ryanodine prolonged CL by 42+/-12.3% and 64+/-18.1% in SAN preparations by 163+/-72.3% and 241+/-91.2% in AVN preparations. Inhibition of TTX-sensitive iNa by 100 nM TTX prolonged CL by 22+/-6.0% in SAN preparations and 53+/-13.6% in the AVN preparations. Block of iKr by E-4031 prolonged CL by 68+/-12.5% in SAN preparations and 28+/-3.4% in AVN preparations. Inhibition of iKur by 50 microM 4-AP prolonged CL by 20+/-3.4% in SAN preparations and 18+/-3.0% in AVN preparations.

CONCLUSION

Mouse SAN and AVN showed distinct different response to the inhibition of RyR, TTX-sensitive INa, IKr and iKur, which reflects the variation in contribution of these currents to the pacemaker function of the cardiac nodes in the mouse. Our data provide valuable information for developing virtual tissue models of mouse SAN and AVN.

Adaptive evolution of tetrodotoxin resistance in animals

Tetrodotoxin (TTX), first isolated from pufferfish (tetraodontids), is a highly potent neurotoxin that selectively binds to voltage-gated sodium channels (Na(v)) in muscle and nerve tissues causing paralysis and death. Saxitoxin (STX) is a TTX-related neurotoxin produced by dinoflagellates. Recent investigations have implicated diverse substitutions in the P-loop regions of skeletal muscle and neuronal Na(v) channels in the convergent evolution of neurotoxin resistance in pufferfish, garter snakes and softshell clams, which has enabled them to feed on TTX- and STX-bearing organisms.

Late sodium current in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease: consequences of sodium-calcium overload

Late sodium current in cardiac cells is very small compared with the fast component, but as it flows throughout the action potential it may make a substantial contribution to sodium loading during each cardiac cycle. Late sodium current may contribute to triggering arrhythmia in two ways: by causing repolarisation failure (early after depolarisations); and by triggering late after depolarisations attributable to calcium oscillations in sodium-calcium overload conditions. Reduction of late sodium current would therefore be expected to have therapeutic benefits, particularly in disease states such as ischaemia in which sodium-calcium overload is a major feature.

Interactions of the C-11 hydroxyl of tetrodotoxin with the sodium channel outer vestibule

The highly selective sodium channel blocker, tetrodotoxin (TTX) has been instrumental in characterization of voltage-gated sodium channels. TTX occludes the ion-permeation pathway at the outer vestibule of the channel. In addition to a critical guanidinium group, TTX possesses six hydroxyl groups, which appear to be important for toxin block. The nature of their interactions with the outer vestibule remains debatable, however. The C-11 hydroxyl (C-11 OH) has been proposed to interact with the channel through a hydrogen bond to a carboxyl group, possibly from domain IV. On the other hand, previous experiments suggest that TTX interacts most strongly with pore loops of domains I and II. Energetic localization of the C-11 OH was undertaken by thermodynamic mutant cycle analysis assessing the dependence of the effects of mutations of the adult rat skeletal muscle Na(+) channel (rNa(v)1.4) and the presence of C-11 OH on toxin IC(50). Xenopus oocytes were injected with the mutant or native Na(+) channel mRNA, and currents were measured by two-electrode voltage clamp. Toxin blocking efficacy was determined by recording the reduction in current upon toxin exposure. Mutant cycle analysis revealed that the maximum interaction of the C-11 OH was with domain IV residue D1532 (DeltaDeltaG: 1.0 kcal/mol). Furthermore, C-11 OH had significantly less interaction with several domain I, II, and III residues. The pattern of interactions suggested that C-11 was closest to domain IV, probably involved in a hydrogen bond with the domain IV carboxyl group. Incorporating this data, a new molecular model of TTX binding is proposed.

The role of nitric oxide in mediating nonadrenergic, noncholinergic relaxation in rat pulmonary artery

Experiments were undertaken to investigate the existence of inhibitory nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (i-NANC) nerve activity by using in vitro functional and immunohistochemical techniques in rat main pulmonary arterial rings. Vessels precontracted with phenylephrine (3 microM) relaxed in response to electrical field stimulation (EFS) (50 V, 0.2 ms, 0.1-10 Hz for 5 s) in the presence of atropine (1 microM) and guanethidine (1 microM). Tetrodotoxin (0.3 microM) abolished this response, indicating that it is neuronal in origin. l-NAME (30 microM), methylene blue (10 microM), and removal of endothelium significantly reduced the EFS-induced relaxations. The inhibitory action of l-NAME was completely reversed by l-arginine (1 mM) but not by d-arginine (1 mM). Moreover l-arginine alone potentiated the magnitude of the relaxations elicited by EFS. On the other hand, immunohistochemical work clearly demonstrated the existence of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the pulmonary artery vessel wall. All these results are consistent with the suggestion that nitric oxide is the likely mediator of this vasodilatation. However, the incomplete blockade of the responses by l-NAME gives evidence of an additional inhibitory NANC neurotransmitter(s) mediating the residual relaxation, which requires further experiments to clarify its nature.

5HT increases excitability of nociceptor-like rat dorsal root ganglion neurons via cAMP-coupled TTX-resistant Na(+) channels

The physiological effects of 5HT receptor coupling to TTX-resistant Na(+) current, and the signaling pathway involved, was studied in a nociceptor-like subpopulation of rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells (type 2), which can be identified by expression of a low-threshold, slowly inactivating A-current. The 5HT-mediated increase in TTX-resistant Na(+) current in type 2 DRG cells was mimicked and occluded by 10 microM forskolin. Superfusion of type 2 DRG cells on the outside with 1 mM 8-bromo-cAMP or chlorophenylthio-cAMP (CPT-cAMP) increased the Na(+) current, but less than 5HT itself. However, perfusion of the cells inside with 2 mM CPT-cAMP strongly increased the amplitude of control Na(+) currents and completely occluded the effect of 5HT. Thus it appears that the signaling pathway includes cAMP. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-L-methylxanthine (200 microM) also mimicked the effect of 5HT on Na(+) current, suggesting tonic adenylyl cyclase activity. 5HT reduced the amount of current required to evoke action potentials in type 2 DRG cells, suggesting that 5HT may lower the threshold for activation of nociceptor peripheral receptors. The above data suggest that serotonergic modulation of TTX-resistant Na(+) channels through a cAMP-dependent signaling pathway in nociceptors may participate in the generation of hyperalgesia.

Differential effects of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and high external K+ on A and C fibre compound action potential peaks in frog sciatic nerve

Monophasic compound action potentials were recorded from Rana sciatic nerves. Three distinct peaks were observed and designated A alpha, A delta and C. All peaks were abolished by replacement of the external medium with Na(+)-free solution. However, the C peak alone was unaffected by external application of 1 microM tetrodotoxin (TTX), both A peaks were completely suppressed. The C peak was also the most resistant to chronic depolarization caused by increased external K+. K+ (17.6 mM) solution reduced peak areas to 5 +/- 4, 27 +/- 11 and 63 +/- 14% of control for A alpha, A delta and C components. The C peak was therefore Na(+)-dependent, TTX-resistant and K(+)-depolarization resistant. These attributes are similar to those described for somatal TTX-resistant Na+ channels in other species. But, application of 1 microM TTX to a K(+)-depolarized nerve caused a further reduction in C peak area, suggestive of a voltage-dependent block by TTX similar to that reported for cardiac muscle Na+ channels.

Mechanisms of paresthesiae, dysesthesiae, and hyperesthesiae: role of Na+ channel heterogeneity

Paresthesiae, dysesthesiae, and hyperesthesiae ('positive symptoms') result from ectopic nerve impulses secondary to inappropriate membrane excitability which develops in the setting of chronic sensory axonal injury. The molecular changes in the membranes of dorsal root ganglion neurons which underlie ectopic impulse generation as a result of chronic axonal injury are unknown. Preliminary evidence has suggested that voltage-dependent Na+ channels are one of the participants in the production of ectopic impulses, but the precise form of their participation remains to be determined. The present paper reviews normal sensory anatomy and Na+ channel physiology, as well as clinical syndromes heralded by positive sensations and what is so far known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying them. Properties of two distinct populations of Na+ channels native to the DRG neurons which give rise to cutaneous afferents are described. The biophysical properties of each population of Na+ channels must be tuned with respect to the other in order to cooperate in the generation of action potential activity underlying normal sensory function. A novel hypothesis is put forth suggesting that chronic axonal injury leads to intraneuronal heterogeneity of the populations of Na+ channels in cutaneous afferents, as revealed by their characteristic properties. This may result in one population of Na+ channels activating the other, leading to membrane instability, and possibly to ectopic impulse generation.