The Role of HCN Channels in Ventricular Repolarization

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated (HCN) channels pass a cationic current ( Ih / If ) that crucially contributes to the slow diastolic depolarization (SDD) of sinoatrial pacemaker cells and, hence, is a key determinant of cardiac automaticity and the generation of the heartbeat. How...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in cardiovascular medicine 2011-11, Vol.21 (8), p.216-220
Main Authors: Fenske, Stefanie, Krause, Stefanie, Biel, Martin, Wahl-Schott, Christian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Action Potentials
Animals
Cardiomyocytes
Cardiovascular
Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels - deficiency
Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels - genetics
Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels - metabolism
Heart
Heart Rate
Heart Ventricles - metabolism
Humans
Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels
Kinetics
Mice
Mice, Knockout
Myocytes, Cardiac - metabolism
Potassium Channels
Rodents
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Summary:Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated (HCN) channels pass a cationic current ( Ih / If ) that crucially contributes to the slow diastolic depolarization (SDD) of sinoatrial pacemaker cells and, hence, is a key determinant of cardiac automaticity and the generation of the heartbeat. However, there is growing evidence that HCN channels are not restricted to the spontaneously active cells of the sinoatrial node and the conduction system but are also present in ventricular cardiomyocytes that produce an action potential lacking SDD. This observation raises the question of the principal function(s) of HCN channels in working myocardium. Our recent analysis of an HCN3-deficient (HCN3–/– ) mouse line has shed new light on this central question. We propose that HCN channels contribute to the ventricular action potential waveform, specifically during late repolarization. In this review, we outline this new concept.
ISSN:1050-1738
1873-2615
DOI:10.1016/j.tcm.2012.05.013