[HTML][HTML] Alk7 Depleted Mice Exhibit Prolonged Cardiac Repolarization and Are Predisposed to Ventricular Arrhythmia

S Ying, H Cao, H Hu, X Wang, Y Tang, C Huang - PloS one, 2016 - journals.plos.org
S Ying, H Cao, H Hu, X Wang, Y Tang, C Huang
PloS one, 2016journals.plos.org
We aimed to investigate the role of activin receptor-like kinase (ALK7) in regulating cardiac
electrophysiology. Here, we showed that Alk7-/-mice exhibited prolonged QT intervals in
telemetry ECG recordings. Furthermore, Langendorff-perfused Alk7-/-hearts had significantly
longer action potential duration (APD) and greater incidence of ventricular arrhythmia (AV)
induced by burst pacing. Using whole-cell patch clamp, we found that the densities of
repolarizing K+ currents Ito and IK1 were profoundly reduced in Alk7-/-ventricular …
We aimed to investigate the role of activin receptor-like kinase (ALK7) in regulating cardiac electrophysiology. Here, we showed that Alk7-/- mice exhibited prolonged QT intervals in telemetry ECG recordings. Furthermore, Langendorff-perfused Alk7-/- hearts had significantly longer action potential duration (APD) and greater incidence of ventricular arrhythmia (AV) induced by burst pacing. Using whole-cell patch clamp, we found that the densities of repolarizing K+ currents Ito and IK1 were profoundly reduced in Alk7-/- ventricular cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, the expression of Kv4.2 (a major subunit of Ito carrying channel) and KCHIP2 (a key accessory subunit of Ito carrying channel), was markedly decreased in Alk7-/- hearts. These findings suggest that endogenous expression of ALK7 is necessary to maintain repolarizing K+ currents in ventricular cardiomyocytes, and finally prevent action potential prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia.
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