AJP - Heart Fuel your research with LabChart
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 275: H1963-H1970, 1998;
0363-6135/98 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Kong, W.
Right arrow Articles by Tomaselli, G. F.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Kong, W.
Right arrow Articles by Tomaselli, G. F.
Vol. 275, Issue 6, H1963-H1970, December 1998

Isolation and characterization of the human gene encoding Ito: further diversity by alternative mRNA splicing

Wei Kong1, Sunny Po1, Toshio Yamagishi1, M. Dominique Ashen1, Gail Stetten2, and Gordon F. Tomaselli1

1 Department of Medicine, Section of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, and 2 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205

    ABSTRACT
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

The transient outward K+ current (Ito) in the heart is responsible for the initial phase of repolarization and for setting the plateau voltage of the ventricular action potential. Recently, Kv4.3 has emerged as the leading candidate alpha -subunit gene that underlies Ito in larger mammals such as dogs and humans. We have cloned the human Kv4.3 homolog and describe a carboxyl-terminal splice variant that inserts 19 amino acids with a consensus protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation site into the protein after the last membrane-spanning segment. The coding region of Kv4.3 is comprised of at least five exons and is located on chromosome 1p13.3. In the basal state the basic biophysical properties of both of the splice variants are identical.

potassium channel; Kv4.2; Kv4.3; Xenopus oocytes; heterologous expression; fluorescence in situ hybridization; chromosome 1

    INTRODUCTION
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

THE CARDIAC ACTION POTENTIAL is generated by the composite activity of many ion channels, pumps, and transporters. Voltage-dependent K+ channels are particularly prominent in repolarization of cardiac myocytes. K+ channels exhibit extreme physiological diversity, which arises from the large number of K+ channel genes, alternative RNA splicing, heteromultimeric assembly of channel proteins, and the existence of accessory subunits (for review see Ref. 3). The determination of the molecular basis of K+ currents resident in excitable tissue is complicated by the diversity of K+ channel genes.

The transient outward K+ channel (Ito) is especially important in the early phase of repolarization in many species, including human (5, 10, 14, 17, 21, 23-25, 31, 37, 40, 41). Recently, the gene encoding a K+ channel subunit that underlies the calcium-independent Ito has been described. On the basis of analysis of mRNA transcripts in mammalian ventricles (12) and correlation of the mRNA level with that of Ito current density in human ventricular myocytes (20), Kv4.3 has emerged as the leading candidate K+ channel gene encoding the cardiac Ito in large mammals such as dogs and humans.

Physiological and pathophysiological stimuli can alter the level of expression of K+ channel genes, protein, and current (16, 20, 32, 36, 38). The first step in understanding the molecular basis of the regulation of K+ currents in response to biological stimuli is the cloning of the cDNA and genomic DNA encoding relevant K+ channel genes. We describe the cloning, functional expression, and chromosomal location of the human Kv4.3 (hKv4.3) K+ channel. The hKv4.3 gene has two alternatively spliced forms, with the long version containing a 19-amino acid insert after the S6 membrane-spanning region. Both variants are present in human atrial and ventricular myocardium.

    METHODS
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Cloning of human Kv4.3 cDNA and genomic DNA. Standard hybridization screening of a random primed human cDNA library in lambda -Zap (Uni-Zap, Stratagene) was performed to obtain partial cDNAs encoding hKv4.3. Degenerate oligonucleotide primers designed to the Shal (Kv4) family of K+ channels were used in the polymerase chain reaction with reverse transcribed cDNA (RT-PCR) from total human ventricular RNA as a template (12). A 290-bp fragment of the hKv4.3 channel in the amino terminus immediately preceding the first membrane-spanning segment was amplified. This fragment was used to screen the cardiac library, and four identical clones 5 kb in length without the 3'-end of hKv4.3 cDNA were identified. This 5-kb cDNA was subcloned into pBluescript II SK (Stratagene). The 3'-end of the coding region was obtained by RT-PCR of human cardiac RNA using rat-specific primers. The upstream primer located at the S2 transmembrane segment had the sequence 5'-CCTTCTTCTGCCTGGACAC-3' encoding the amino acid sequence FFCLD. The downstream primer encodes the last seven amino acids of the rat channel protein (VVKVSVL) with the nucleotide sequence 5'-CAAGACAGAGACCTTGACAAC-3'. The 3'-RT-PCR fragment was cloned into pGEM-T (Promega). The sequence of the 3'-end of the cDNA was confirmed by sequencing the corresponding human genomic DNA.

The genomic clone designated p54 (clone address PAC-137-O7, Genome Systems) was one of three unique clones obtained by hybridization screening of a human PAC library with a cDNA containing the entire coding region of rat Kv4.2. The p54 clone contains a large 5'-untranslated region and the 5'-end of the hKv4.3 coding region.

A 1-kb Nae I-Nar I fragment was excised from the 5'-end of hKv4.3 cDNA in pBluescript II SK. The plasmid pGEM-T containing the PCR product encoding the 3'-end of hKv4.3 was cut by Sac II, blunted with the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I, and then subsequently digested with Nar I. The 1-kb Nae I-Nar I fragment was ligated to the pGEM-T vector to generate the full-length hKv4.3 cDNA (pGEM-T-hKv4.3). pGEM-T-hKv4.3 was cut by Apa I-Not I to get a 2-kb fragment that contains the entire coding region that was subcloned into pcDNA 3.1(-) (Invitrogen). The pIRES-GFP-hKv4.3 expression vector was constructed by digesting pcDNA3.1(-)-hKv4.3 with Apa I and EcoR V. The 2-kb Apa I-EcoR V fragment was cloned into pIRES-GFP (Clontech, Palo Alto, CA) digested with Apa I and Sma I. The entire cDNA was sequenced on both strands with an ABI310 Sequencer (Perkin-Elmer).

Northern and Southern blots, ribonuclease protection assay, and PCR. Human ventricular myocardium was obtained from explanted failing hearts or donor hearts unsuitable for transplantation. The tissue was excised from the left ventricular free wall between the left anterior descending and left circumflex coronary arteries. The samples used for RNA isolation were transventricular including both the epicardium and endocardium.

The tissue was quick frozen in liquid N2 within 10-15 min after tissue harvesting and stored at -80°C until further processing. Total RNA for RT-PCR was prepared either by using TRIzol reagent (GIBCO BRL) according to the manufacturer's instructions or by centrifugation through a CsCl cushion (34). The integrity of all RNA samples was confirmed by analysis on a denaturing agarose gel and quantified by optical density measurements at 260 nm.

A multiple human tissue Northern blot was obtained from Invitrogen (catalog no. D1101-01). The blot was probed with a 480-bp fragment of hKv4.3 from nucleotides 1,485 to 1,965, corresponding to amino acids P496-L655. The blot was developed on a storage phosphor screen and then scanned on a phosphoimager (Molecular Dynamics).

RT-PCR was performed on 5 µg of total RNA isolated from the left ventricular free wall. RT was performed with a poly-dT primer and Superscript II RT (GIBCO BRL) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The primers 5'-CTCTGGAGCTGACCGGCACCC-3' (F1) and 5'-GGGAGCAGCAGGTGGTGGTGAGG-3' (R) span the insert and were used to amplify the short and long variants of hKv4.3. These primers generate PCR products of 231 and 288 bp in length. In addition, a forward primer in the insert, 5'-CCCCTGTTGTCTGTACGAACCTCC-3' (Fins) and the reverse primer were used to generate a 160-bp RT-PCR product.

Ribonuclease protection assays (RPA) were performed as described previously (11, 12, 20). All probes contained regions of plasmid sequence at one or both ends of the transcript, permitting easy distinction between any remaining undigested probe and the shorter, specifically protected region of the probe. Ten micrograms of yeast tRNA were used as a negative control to test for the presence of probe self-protection. For each sample point, 10 µg of total RNA were used in the assay. Determinations were performed in duplicate for each sample. Steady-state mRNA levels were quantified by exposing the gels on a storage phosphor screen and then scanning on a phosphoimager (Molecular Dynamics).

Genomic DNA was prepared from white blood cells using a standard protocol (34). Genomic and p54 DNA were cut with EcoR I, BamH I, and Bgl II, separated on 1% agarose, and transferred to nitrocellulose. The same fragment that was used to screen the cDNA library was used to probe the Southern blot.

Chromosomal localization. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was employed to confirm the chromosomal location of hKv4.3. One microgram of the p54 clone containing the genomic sequence was labeled with digoxigenin (Boehringer Mannheim) in a nick-translation reaction (GIBCO BRL), used as a probe, and hybridized to metaphase spreads from peripheral blood lymphocytes (29). Two hundred nanograms of labeled probe were precipitated with 5 µg of Cot-1 DNA; resuspended in 70% formamide, 2× SSC (1× SSC is 0.15 M NaCl and 0.015 M sodium citrate), 10% dextran sulfate, pH 7.0; denatured for 5 min at 75°C; and preannealed for 1 h at 37°C. Slides were prepared from phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human blood by standard methods and denatured in 70% formamide for 5 min at 75°C before hybridization at 37°C for 18 h. The slides were washed twice in 50% formamide-2× SSC and then twice in 2× SSC at 42°C. The probe was detected with rhodamine-labeled anti-digoxigenin according to the manufacturer's instructions (Oncor). Chromosomes were counterstained with the A-T binding fluorophore 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and viewed with a Zeiss Axioskop equipped with a SenSys cooled charge-coupled device camera (Photometrics) and Smart Capture imaging software (Vysis).

Heterologous expression and electrophysiology. Full-length cDNAs encoding both splice variants of hKv4.3 were cloned into the pIRES-GFP vector for bicistronic expression of the channel and green fluorescence protein driven by the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) major immediate-early promoter/enhancer in cultured mammalian cells. The expression cassette contains the hKv4.3 cDNA with an artificial intron upstream from the encephalomyocarditis that permits the translation of two proteins from a single mRNA. Mouse Ltk- fibroblasts were used for channel expression. The culture and transfection conditions were as previously described (44). Transient transfection was performed by calcium phosphate precipitation for 6-12 h with 2.5 µg of the hKv4.3-containing expression plasmids per 35-mm dish.

Transfected cells were transferred to the stage of an inverted microscope (Nikon Diaphot). Cells expressing the channel were identified by epifluorescence. The cells were perfused with a bath solution containing (in mM) 140 NaCl, 5 KCl, 1 MgCl2, 2 CaCl2, 10 HEPES, and 10 glucose, pH 7.4, at 3 ml/min. To determine the selectivity of the currents for K+, NaCl was replaced with an equimolar amount of KCl. Currents were recorded with the whole cell configuration of the patch clamp at room temperature (22-23°C) using an Axopatch 200A (Axon Instruments). Pipettes were pulled from borosilicate glass with tip resistances of 2-3 MOmega when filled with the internal solution containing (in mM) 110 KCl, 1 MgCl2, 2 MgATP, 1 EGTA, and 10 HEPES, pH 7.2 (final K+ concentration ~112 mM). Cell capacitance was estimated by integrating the area under an uncompensated 10-mV depolarizing voltage step from 80 mV; the cell capacitance was 8.6 ± 0.7 pF (n = 17). Series resistance was compensated as much as possible (generally 80-90%) such that the maximal uncompensated voltage error was <5 mV. Currents were low-pass filtered at 2 kHz and digitized at 10 kHz through a Digidata 1200 analog-to-digital interface (Axon Instruments) for off-line analysis. Currents were corrected for small (<5 mV) liquid junction potentials (Axoscope, Axon Instruments) (4).

Pooled data are presented as means ± SE. Statistical comparisons were made using an ANOVA with P < 0.05 considered to be significant.

    RESULTS
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Isolation of Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 cDNA and genomic clones. The full-length cDNAs encoding hKv4.3 were obtained by a combination of screening of a cardiac cDNA library and RT-PCR of human ventricular RNA. The cDNA contains an open reading frame of 1,911 nucleotides encoding a 637-amino acid channel protein. The human Kv4.3 is highly homologous to the rat homolog (92 and 99% at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively). The hKv4.3 shares 95% amino acid identity in the transmembrane regions and overall 76% identity with the related hKv4.2 channel (unpublished data). RT-PCR of the carboxyl terminus of hKv4.3 reproducibly produced two bands that differed in size by 57 bp (Fig. 1A). Cloning and sequencing the PCR products from the carboxyl-terminal end revealed a short product that was homologous to the previously described rat Kv4.3 cDNA and a longer product containing a 19-amino acid insert after S6 (1,968 nucleotides encoding a 656-amino acid protein). This insert contains a consensus protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation site of the form RXXT*XK, where T* is the phosphorylated amino acid (28). The relative location and sequence of the splice insert are shown in a schematic of the predicted transmembrane topology (Fig. 1B).


View larger version (58K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 1.   Expression of the K+ channel gene hKv4.3 in human heart. A: RT-PCR demonstrates that both splice variants of hKv4.3 are expressed in human ventricle. Two different forward primers, one 5' to the splice insert (F1) and another in the splice (Fins), are paired with a common 3'-primer to amplify cDNA generated from RT of total human ventricular RNA. The primer pair that straddles the splice (F1-R, lane 1) generates 2 PCR products that differ in size by 57 bp (288 and 231 bp). The pair with forward primer in the splice insert (Fins-R, lane 4) generates a single band in the heart RNA lane of 160 bp. No PCR products are generated when RT is omitted from reaction (lanes 2 and 5) or when water is used as a template (lanes 3 and 6). M, 100-bp marker. B: schematic of topology of alpha -subunit of hKv4.3. Cylinders represent the 6 membrane-spanning repeats (S1-S6). The 19-amino acid insert of the long splice variant is shown after S6. The insert contains a protein kinase C consensus phosphorylation site of the form RXXT*XK, where T* is the phosphorylated amino acid. C: multiple tissue human Northern blot using a 480-bp fragment of hKv4.3 cDNA common to both splice variants. A major band of ~8.5-9 kb is seen in heart and brain lanes. The blot was developed for 4 days on a storage phosphor screen. D: ribonuclease protection assay for hKv4.2. Lane P contains undigested probes, and lane t is hybridization with yeast tRNA, which affords no specific protection. Ten micrograms of total human brain (lane b) or heart (lane h) RNA are incubated with riboprobes that recognize the I-II linker of the cardiac isoform of Na+ channel (hH1) and a region of the amino terminus of hKv4.2. A 404-bp fragment in cardiac RNA is protected by hH1 riboprobe, and a 271-bp fragment in brain RNA is protected by hKv4.2. There is no protection by the hH1 and hKv4.2 riboprobes in brain and heart RNA, respectively.

We examined the tissue distribution of hKv4.3 using Northern blot analysis. The hKv4.3 transcript is large, ~8.5 kb, and is found in abundance in heart and brain, with no detectable transcript in kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, spleen, or skeletal muscle (Fig. 1C). The related K+ channel hKv4.2 is not present in the ventricle but is demonstrated by RPA to be present in abundance in the human brain (Fig. 1D).

Gene structure and chromosomal location of Kv4.3. We used the full-length rat Kv4.2 cDNA to screen a human genomic PAC library and obtained three unique clones. The clones designated p54 and p56 contain the genes encoding hKv4.3 and hKv4.2, respectively. The genomic clone p54 contains the 5'-untranslated region and the coding region in the first exon of hKv4.3. There is an apparent splice donor site in the predicted P-region of the channel at the first glycine of the GYGD K+ channel signature motif (Fig. 2A). The long 5'-untranslated region is consistent with the size of the mRNA on the Northern blot (Fig. 1C). Analysis of human genomic DNA by PCR and sequencing demonstrates at least four exons that encode the carboxyl terminus of the channel. The size of the second and third coding region-containing exons is uncertain. There are two large introns between the first and second exons and the second and third exons. PCR was used to define the downstream structure of hKv4.3. A 2.4-kb product was amplified using human genomic DNA, a forward primer that recognizes the sequence encoding the 19-amino acid insert, and a reverse primer that was complementary to the carboxyl terminus of the channel. This product contained the third through the fifth exons, which are separated by introns of 1,162 and 746 bp in length (Fig. 2A). A Southern blot of the genomic clone p54 and human genomic DNA reveals identical banding patterns with an hKv4.3 fragment from the 5'-end of the cDNA used as a probe (Fig. 2B).


View larger version (47K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 2.   A: low-resolution genomic map of hKv4.3. Shaded boxes represent exons, and lines represent introns. Locations of restriction enzyme sites, introns, and exons are relative and not drawn to scale. The coding region of hKv4.3 contains sequence from at least 5 exons. The first exon contains a long (~5 kb) 5'-untranslated (UT) region. A consensus splice donor site occurs after the codon for the first glycine in the K+ channel signature sequence GYGD. This splice site is followed by a large intron. Thick lines represent ambiguous exon-intron boundaries. Restriction sites are EcoR I (R), BamH I (Bm), Hind III (H), and Bgl II (Bg). The probe used in Southern blot is indicated above first exon. B: Southern blot of PAC clone designated p54, which contains hKv4.3 gene and human genomic DNA. DNA is restricted with Bgl II (lanes 1 and 2), BamH I (lanes 3 and 4), and EcoR I (lanes 5 and 6). U, uncut p54 genomic clone. A probe from 5'-end of hKv4.3 cDNA produces a similar pattern of bands in cloned and genomic DNA. The downstream Bgl II site is presumed to be in the unknown intronic sequence between first and second exons.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to determine the chromosomal location of the hKv4.3 channel gene. Metaphase spreads revealed clear hybridization to the short arm of chromosome 1 at band p13.3 on both homologs (Fig. 3A), with no consistent signals seen on any other chromosome in the 20 spreads analyzed. The exact map location at 1p13.3 was determined from high-resolution chromosomes using simultaneous DAPI banding (Fig. 3, A and B).


View larger version (34K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 3.   Localization of hKv4.3 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. A: partial metaphase spread showing hybridization (white signal, arrows) to both homologs of chromosome 1. A reversed 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole-banded image of chromosome 1 shows hybridization in band p13.3 at the 850 band level. B: ideogram of chromosome 1 with an arrow marking the location of hybridization.

Functional expression of hKv4.3 splice variants. We cloned both splice variants of hKv4.3 into the expression vector pIRES-GFP, which drives bicistronic expression of the channel and reporter GFP genes by the CMV promoter/enhancer. Transient transfection into mouse Ltk- cells results in the robust expression of inactivating K+-selective currents. The whole cell currents elicited by a family of depolarizing voltage steps are shown in Fig. 4, A and B. The current activates rapidly and decays to a steady-state level within 400 ms. The current-voltage relationships for each of the splice variants demonstrate that the currents activate over the same voltage range, between -40 and -30 mV, and monotonically increase in size at more positive voltages (Fig. 4C). The time course of inactivation was determined by fitting the decay of the whole cell current to a single exponential. The rate of inactivation was voltage dependent at less positive voltages and essentially voltage independent at test potentials above +10 mV (Fig. 4D). The long and short splice variants do not differ in either their voltage dependence or inactivation kinetics in the basal state.


View larger version (22K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 4.   Electrophysiological characteristics of expressed hKv4.3 splice variants. Representative whole cell currents elicited by depolarizing voltage steps in mouse Ltk- cells expressing short (hKv4.3-1; A) and long (hKv4.3-2; B) splice variants. Rapidly activating and inactivating currents are elicited from a holding potential of -80 mV by depolarizing voltage steps from -60 to +60 mV in increments of 10 mV. C: normalized current-voltage relationships of each splice variant (hKv4.3-1,  and solid line; hKv4.3-2, open circle  and dashed line) are similar with currents activating and increasing monotonically at voltages greater than -10 mV. D: time constant of decay (tau h) is determined by a single exponential fit to decaying phase of whole cell current. tau h is voltage independent with test pulses more positive than -10 mV. hKv4.3-1 () and hKv4.3-2 (open circle ) have similar tau h values over entire voltage range. E: dependence of hKv4.3 reversal potential on external K+ concentration ([K+]o). Tail currents were used to estimate instantaneous current-voltage relationship of each splice variant (, hKv4.3-1; open circle , hKv4.3-2) as determined at 1, 5, 16, 64, and 96 mM [K+]o. hKv4.3 reversal potential shifted with changes in [K+]o. The change in reversal potential with [K+]o predicted from Nernst equation is shown by the dotted line, and solid line is best fit of data to the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation with a Na+-to-K+ permeability ratio of 0.01. E: both hKv4.3-1 ( and solid line) and hKv4.3-2 (open circle  and dotted line) are blocked by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). Peak current amplitude in presence of 0.3, 1, and 3 mM 4-AP normalized to current in absence of blocker is plotted. Solid line is a fit to a logistic function of the form % inhibition = I0/(1 - IC50[4-AP]) × 100, where I0 is unblocked current. Estimated IC50 values are 1.3 ± 0.3 and 1.4 ± 0.3 mM for 4-AP block of hKv4.3-1 and hKv4.3-2, respectively.

The currents are selective for K+ over Na+. The reversal potential of the tail current elicited by a family of voltage steps from -120 to +60 mV after a test pulse to +60 mV was determined over a range of external K+ concentration ([K+]o). The reversal potential as a function of [K+]o is plotted in Fig. 4E. The dotted line is the reversal potential predicted by the Nernst equation. The solid line is the best fit of the data to the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz voltage equation (19) with a relative permeability of Na+ to K+ of 0.01.

Sensitivity to block by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) is a hallmark of the Ca2+-independent Ito (9, 19). The short and long splice variants of hKv4.3 exhibit a similar sensitivity to 4-AP; currents through both splice variants are ~50% blocked by 1 mM 4-AP. The dose-response curves are shown in Fig. 4F. The IC50 values determined by fitting the data to a single binding site function are 1.3 ± 0.3 and 1.4 ± 0.3 mM for the short and long splice variants, respectively [P = not significant (NS)].

The steady-state availability was determined using 1-s conditioning pulses to voltages between -100 and +20 mV in increments of 10 mV. The currents are half-maximally available at -42.6 ± 5.1 and -43.1 ± 6.4 mV with slope factors of 6.3 ± 1.3 and 6.3 ± 0.6 mV for the short and long splice variants, respectively (P = NS; Fig. 5A).


View larger version (12K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 5.   Steady-state inactivation and recovery kinetics of hKv4.3. A: a 2-pulse protocol is used to generate steady-state inactivation curves for hKv4.3-1 ( and solid line) and hKv4.3-2 (open circle  and dotted line). Data are fit to Boltzmann functions with half-maximal availability voltages (V0.5) and slope factors of -42.6 ± 5.1 and 6.3 ± 1.3 mV, respectively, for hKv4.3-1 and -43.1 ± 6.4 and 6.3 ± 0.6 mV, respectively, for hKv4.3-2. B: cells expressing each variant of hKv4.3 were depolarized to +50 mV for 500 ms (P1) and then allowed to recover for variable durations at 100 mV before a second depolarizing pulse to +50 mV (P2). The time course of recovery was determined by plotting ratio of peak current amplitudes (P2/P1) at various recovery intervals. Curves were fit with a single exponential function. Most of the current recovers rapidly with time constants of 73.4 ± 32 and 75.1 ± 23 ms (P = not significant) for hKv4.3-1 and hKv4.3-2, respectively.

Regional differences in the recovery kinetics of Ito in the human ventricle have been described (26). We determined the recovery kinetics of each of the hKv4.3 splice variants at a recovery voltage of -100 mV. The recovery curves were fit by single exponentials with time constants of 73.4 ± 32 and 75.1 ± 23 ms for the short and long splice variants, respectively (P = NS; Fig. 5B). The current is completely recovered by 300 ms at room temperature.

    DISCUSSION
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

The transient outward K+ current is a critical component of the normal action potential of atrial and ventricular myocytes of most species. In human ventricle, Kv4.3 is the gene that encodes the alpha -subunit of the K+ channel that underlies Ito (12). The density of Ito is reduced in failing human ventricles (25), and this may be caused by altered transcription (20). We describe the cloning, genomic structure, and chromosomal localization of hKv4.3. Two alternatively spliced cDNAs are present in the ventricle; the long splice variant has a 19-amino acid insert that contains a consensus PKC phosphorylation site. Similar splice variants have been described in the rat ventricle (27, 36). Each of the hKv4.3 splice variants encode K+-selective currents similar to native Ito when expressed in mammalian tissue culture cells.

The hKv4.3 cDNAs are 8.5-9.0 kb with a large 5'- and smaller 3'-untranslated region. The hKv4.3 gene spans at least 40 kb of the genome. Analysis of the genomic structure of hKv4.3 reveals the presence of five exons in the coding region; one splice site occurs at the K+ channel signature sequence. Another pair of alternatively utilized exons determines the hKv4.3 variant. The gene is located on the short arm of chromosome 1 at 1p13.3. Notably, the human K+ channel Shaker homolog KCNA3 (Kv1.3) (15) and the Shab homolog KCNC4 (Kv3.4) (33) have been localized to human chromosome 1p21, the Giemsa-positive band just distal to p13.3.

The voltage dependence of the hKv4.3 splice variants expressed in Ltk- fibroblasts resembles that of native Ito in human ventricular myocytes recorded under similar conditions (1, 6, 25, 26, 40, 41). The activation voltage range is similar in both native currents and expressed channels; in both cases, activation occurs at test potentials greater than -40 mV and the half-maximal activation voltage is approximately +10 mV (1, 6, 25, 26, 40, 41). Steady-state inactivation characteristics of the expressed hKv4.3 channels are similar to native cardiac Ito (25, 26, 40, 41).

Regional differences in the biophysical characteristics of the cardiac Ito have been described. In cells isolated from the subepicardium or mid left ventricular wall, Ito recovers rapidly from inactivation (25, 26, 40, 41). In contrast, Ito from endocardium recovers from inactivation slowly (26, 41). Recovery from inactivation is no different in the two hKv4.3 splice variants; thus it is unlikely that differences in the expression of the splice variants mediates the regional differences in recovery in the basal state (Fig. 5B). It is conceivable that phosphorylation could differentially modulate the rate of recovery of the hKv4.3 splice variants.

Heteromultimerization of K+ channel subunits can significantly change the electrophysiological features of the resulting current (e.g., see Ref. 30). Regional differences in recovery from inactivation of Ito are not likely to be the result of heteromultimerization of hKv4.3 with hKv4.2 because heterologously expressed hKv4.2 also recovers rapidly (data not shown) and is not expressed in the human ventricle (Fig. 1D). It may be that a more slowly recovering transient K+ channel such as hKv1.4 underlies human endocardial Ito (7); however, it is uncertain whether hKv1.4 is expressed in adult human cardiomyocytes. Other explanations for the slowly recovering subendocardial Ito include differences in posttranslational modification or differences in regional expression of ancillary subunits or other modifying proteins.

The addition of a PKC phosphorylation site in the long splice variant raises the possibility of isoform-specific regulation of hKv4.3 by phosphorylation. Stimulation of alpha -adrenergic receptors enhances cardiac contractility largely because of prolongation of the action potential duration that results from reduction of repolarizing K+ currents (13). The transient outward current is modulated by second messenger systems. Prominently, stimulation of alpha 1-adrenoreceptors has been shown to reduce Ito current density (2, 8). In some preparations, activation of PKC mimics the effect of alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation (2), whereas in others, different second messenger systems appear to mediate the effect of alpha 1-stimulation (8). The role of PKC in alpha 1-adrenergic regulation of the human cardiac Ito has not been defined; however, in cultured human atrial myocytes, Ito is inhibited by the PKC inhibitor staurosporine (18).

Transient outward current expression in the mammalian heart is dynamic. For example, the density and, in some cases, the kinetics of Ito change with development (22, 39, 43) and exposure to thyroid hormone (35, 42) in the rat ventricle. The changes in the action potential and outward current profile have suggested to some investigators an isoform switch from Kv1.4 to Kv4 channels during development and treatment with triiodothyronine (42). In the human ventricle there is also a reduction in the current density of Ito that accompanies heart failure (6, 25, 41). The molecular basis of this change in current density is uncertain, but we have observed a reduction in the steady-state level of hKv4.3 mRNA that correlates with current density in the same hearts (20). As a first step to try and understand the basis of changes in the expression of human Ito, we describe the cloning, genomic structure, and functional expression of the splice variants of hKv4.3. Understanding the regulation of expression of this gene may have important implications for changes in expression of this and other ion channels and transport proteins in human heart failure.

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank Drs. Jeffrey Balser and Brian O'Rourke for critical review of the manuscript, Dr. Maggie Zheng and Colleen McCormack for excellent technical support, and Dr. Clara Moore for help with Fig. 3. We gratefully acknowledge Drs. Stefan Kääb, Michael Näbauer (University of Munich), Dirk Beucklemann (University of Cologne), and our cardiothoracic surgical colleagues at the Johns Hopkins Hospital for access to human ventricular tissue.

    FOOTNOTES

The hKv4.3 splice variant sequences have been submitted to GenBank with the accession numbers AF048712 and AF048713.

This work was supported by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grant P50 HL-52768, American Heart Association Fellowship Grant (to W. Kong), and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Training Grant HL-07227 (to S. Po).

The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. §1734 solely to indicate this fact.

Address for reprint requests: G. F. Tomaselli, Dept. of Medicine, Div. of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Ross 844, 720 N. Rutland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21205.

Received 4 June 1998; accepted in final form 19 August 1998.

    REFERENCES
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

1.   Amos, G. J., E. Wettwer, F. Metzger, Q. Li, H. M. Himmel, and U. Ravens. Differences between outward currents of human atrial and subepicardial ventricular myocytes. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 491: 31-50, 1996[Medline].

2.   Apkon, M., and J. M. Nerbonne. Alpha 1-adrenergic agonists selectively suppress voltage-dependent K+ current in rat ventricular myocytes. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85: 8756-8760, 1988[Abstract/Free Full Text].

3.   Barry, D. M., and J. M. Nerbonne. Myocardial potassium channels: electrophysiological and molecular diversity. Annu. Rev. Physiol. 58: 363-394, 1996[Medline].

4.   Barry, P. H. JPCalc, a software package for calculating liquid junction potential corrections in patch-clamp, intracellular, epithelial, and bilayer measurements and for correcting junction potential measurements. J. Neurosci. Methods 5: 107-116, 1994.

5.   Berger, F., U. Borchard, and D. Hafner. Effects of (+)- and (+/-)-sotalol on repolarizing outward currents and pacemaker current in sheep cardiac Purkinje fibres. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch. Pharmacol. 340: 696-704, 1989[Medline].

6.   Beuckelmann, D. J., M. Näbauer, and E. Erdmann. Alterations of K+ currents in isolated human ventricular myocytes from patients with terminal heart failure. Circ. Res. 73: 379-385, 1993[Abstract/Free Full Text].

7.   Brahmajothi, M. V., M. J. Morales, D. L. Campbell, R. L. Rassmusson, S. Wang, S. Liu, J. S. Trimmer, and H. C. Strauss. Distribution of fast-inactivating K+ channel subunits in ferret epicardial and endocardial left ventricular myocytes (Abstract). Circulation 96: I-498, 1997.

8.   Braun, A. P., D. Fedida, R. B. Clark, and W. R. Giles. Intracellular mechanisms for alpha 1-adrenergic regulation of the transient outward current in rabbit atrial myocytes. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 431: 689-712, 1990[Abstract/Free Full Text].

9.   Coraboeuf, E., and E. Carmeliet. Existence of two transient outward currents in sheep cardiac Purkinje fibers. Pflügers Arch. 392: 352-359, 1982[Medline].

10.   Crumb, W. J. J., J. D. Pigott, and C. W. Clarkson. Comparison of Ito in young and adult human atrial myocytes: evidence for developmental changes. Am. J. Physiol. 268 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 37): H1335-H1342, 1995[Abstract/Free Full Text].

11.   Dixon, J. E., and D. McKinnon. Quantitative analysis of potassium channel mRNA expression in atrial and ventricular muscle of rats. Circ. Res. 75: 252-260, 1994[Abstract/Free Full Text].

12.   Dixon, J. E., W. Shi, H. S. Wang, C. McDonald, H. Yu, R. S. Wymore, I. S. Cohen, and D. McKinnon. Role of the Kv4.3 K+ channel in ventricular muscle. A molecular correlate for the transient outward current. Circ. Res. 79: 659-668, 1996[Abstract/Free Full Text].

13.   Fedida, D., and R. A. Bouchard. Mechanisms for the positive inotropic effect of alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation in rat cardiac myocytes. Circ. Res. 71: 673-688, 1992[Abstract/Free Full Text].

14.   Firek, L., and W. R. Giles. Outward currents underlying repolarization in human atrial myocytes. Cardiovasc. Res. 30: 31-38, 1995[Medline].

15.   Folander, K., J. Douglass, and R. Swanson. Confirmation of the assignment of the gene encoding Kv1.3, a voltage-gated potassium channel (KCNA3) to the proximal short arm of chromosome 1. Genomics 23: 295-296, 1994[Medline].

16.   Gidh-Jain, M., B. Huang, P. Jain, and N. el-Sherif. Differential expression of voltage-gated K+ channel genes in left ventricular remodeled myocardium after experimental myocardial infarction. Circ. Res. 79: 669-675, 1996[Abstract/Free Full Text].

17.   Gross, G. J., R. P. Burke, and N. A. Castle. Characterisation of transient outward current in young human atrial myocytes. Cardiovasc. Res. 29: 112-117, 1995[Medline].

18.   Hatem, S. N., A. Benardeau, C. Rucker-Martin, J. L. Samuel, E. Coraboeuf, and J. J. Mercadier. Differential regulation of voltage-activated potassium currents in cultured human atrial myocytes. Am. J. Physiol. 271 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 40): H1609-H1619, 1996[Abstract/Free Full Text].

19.   Hille, B. Ionic Channels of Excitable Membranes. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer, 1992.

20.  Kääb, S., J. Dixon, J. Duc, M. D. Ashen, M. Näbauer, D. J. Beuckelmann, G. Steinbeck, D. McKinnon, and G. F. Tomaselli. Molecular basis of transient outward current down-regulation in human heart failure. Circulation. In press.

21.   Kääb, S., H. B. Nuss, N. Chiamvimonvat, B. O'Rourke, P. H. Pak, D. A. Kass, E. Marban, and G. F. Tomaselli. Ionic mechanism of action potential prolongation in ventricular myocytes from dogs with pacing-induced heart failure. Circ. Res. 78: 262-273, 1996[Abstract/Free Full Text].

22.   Kilborn, M. J., and D. Fedida. A study of the developmental changes in outward currents of rat ventricular myocytes. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 430: 37-60, 1990[Abstract/Free Full Text].

23.   Le Grand, B. L., S. Hatem, E. Deroubaix, J. P. Couetil, and E. Coraboeuf. Depressed transient outward and calcium currents in dilated human atria. Cardiovasc. Res. 28: 548-556, 1994[Medline].

24.   Mansourati, J., and B. Le Grand. Transient outward current in young and adult diseased human atria. Am. J. Physiol. 265 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 34): H1466-H1470, 1993[Abstract/Free Full Text].

25.   Näbauer, M., D. J. Beuckelmann, and E. Erdmann. Characteristics of transient outward current in human ventricular myocytes from patients with terminal heart failure. Circ. Res. 73: 386-394, 1993[Abstract/Free Full Text].

26.   Näbauer, M., D. J. Beuckelmann, P. Überfuhr, and G. Steinbeck. Regional differences in current density and rate-dependent properties of the transient outward current in subepicardial and subendocardial myocytes of human left ventricle. Circulation 93: 168-177, 1996[Abstract/Free Full Text].

27.   Ohya, S., M. Tanaka, T. Oku, Y. Asai, M. Watanabe, W. Giles, and Y. Imaizumi. Molecular cloning and tissue distribution of an alternatively spliced variant of an A-type K channel alpha-subunit, Kv4.3 in the rat. FEBS Lett. 420: 47-53, 1997[Medline].

28.   Pearson, R. B., and B. E. Kemp. Protein kinase phosphorylation site sequences and consensus specificity motifs: tabulations. In: Methods in Enzymology. Protein Phosphorylation. Part A, edited by T. Hunter, and B. M. Sefton. San Diego, CA: Academic, 1991, vol. 200, p. 62-81.

29.   Pinkel, D., T. Straume, and J. W. Gray. Cytogenetic analysis using quantitative, high sensitivity, fluorescence hybridization. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83: 2934-2938, 1986[Abstract/Free Full Text].

30.   Po, S., S. Roberds, D. J. Snyders, M. M. Tamkun, and P. B. Bennett. Heteromultimeric assembly of human potassium channels. Molecular basis of a transient outward current? Circ. Res. 72: 1326-1336, 1993[Abstract/Free Full Text].

31.   Qi, A., J. A. Yeung-Lai-Wah, J. Xiao, and C. R. Kerr. Regional differences in rabbit atrial repolarization: importance of transient outward current. Am. J. Physiol. 266 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 35): H643-H649, 1994[Abstract/Free Full Text].

32.   Qin, D., Z. H. Zhang, E. B. Caref, M. Boutjdir, P. Jain, and N. el-Sherif. Cellular and ionic basis of arrhythmias in postinfarction remodeled ventricular myocardium. Circ. Res. 79: 461-473, 1996[Abstract/Free Full Text].

33.   Rudy, B., K. Sen, E. Vega-Saenz de Meiera, D. Lau, T. Ried, and D. C. Ward. Cloning of a human cDNA expressing a high voltage-activating TEA-sensitive, type-A K+ channel which maps to chromosome 1 band p21. J. Neurosci. Res. 29: 401-412, 1991[Medline].

34.   Sambrook, J., E. F. Fritsch, and T. Manniatis. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor, NY: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989.

35.   Shimoni, Y., C. Fiset, R. B. Clark, J. E. Dixon, D. McKinnon, and W. R. Giles. Thyroid hormone regulates postnatal expression of transient K+ channel isoforms in rat ventricle. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 500: 65-73, 1997[Medline].

36.   Takimoto, K., D. Li, K. M. Hershman, P. Li, E. K. Jackson, and E. S. Levitan. Decreased expression of Kv4.2 and novel Kv4.3 K+ channel subunit mRNAs in ventricles of renovascular hypertensive rats. Circ. Res. 81: 533-539, 1997[Abstract/Free Full Text].

37.   Thuringer, D., A. Coulombe, E. Deroubaix, E. Coraboeuf, and J. J. Mercadier. Depressed transient outward current density in ventricular myocytes from cardiomyopathic Syrian hamsters of different ages. J. Mol. Cell. Cardiol. 28: 387-401, 1996[Medline].

38.   Van Wagoner, D. R., A. L. Pond, P. M. McCarthy, J. S. Trimmer, and J. M. Nerbonne. Outward K+ current densities and Kv1.5 expression are reduced in chronic human atrial fibrillation. Circ. Res. 80: 772-781, 1997[Abstract/Free Full Text].

39.   Wahler, G. M., S. J. Dollinger, J. M. Smith, and K. L. Flemal. Time course of postnatal changes in rat heart action potential and in transient outward current is different. Am. J. Physiol. 267 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 36): H1157-H1166, 1994[Abstract/Free Full Text].

40.   Wettwer, E., G. Amos, J. Gath, H. R. Zerkowski, J. C. Reidemeister, and U. Ravens. Transient outward current in human and rat ventricular myocytes. Cardiovasc. Res. 27: 1662-1669, 1993[Abstract/Free Full Text].

41.   Wettwer, E., G. J. Amos, H. Posival, and U. Ravens. Transient outward current in human ventricular myocytes of subepicardial and subendocardial origin. Circ. Res. 75: 473-482, 1994[Abstract/Free Full Text].

42.   Wickenden, A. D., R. Kaprielian, T. G. Parker, O. T. Jones, and P. H. Backx. Effects of development and thyroid hormone on K+ currents and K+ channel gene expression in rat ventricle. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 504: 271-286, 1997[Medline].

43.   Xu, H., J. E. Dixon, D. M. Barry, J. S. Trimmer, J. P. Merlie, D. McKinnon, and J. M. Nerbonne. Developmental analysis reveals mismatches in the expression of K+ channel alpha subunits and voltage-gated K+ channel currents in rat ventricular myocytes. J. Gen. Physiol. 108: 405-419, 1996[Abstract/Free Full Text].

44.   Yamagishi, T., M. Janecki, E. Marban, and G. F. Tomaselli. Topology of the P segments in the sodium channel pore revealed by cysteine mutagenesis. Biophys. J. 73: 195-204, 1997[Abstract/Free Full Text].


Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 275(6):H1963-H1970
0002-9513/98 $5.00 Copyright © 1998 the American Physiological Society



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Physiol. Rev.Home page
J. M. Nerbonne and R. S. Kass
Molecular Physiology of Cardiac Repolarization
Physiol Rev, October 1, 2005; 85(4): 1205 - 1253.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
J. Rose, A. A. Armoundas, Y. Tian, D. DiSilvestre, M. Burysek, V. Halperin, B. O'Rourke, D. A. Kass, E. Marban, and G. F. Tomaselli
Molecular correlates of altered expression of potassium currents in failing rabbit myocardium
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, May 1, 2005; 288(5): H2077 - H2087.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Physiol. Rev.Home page
S. G. Birnbaum, A. W. Varga, L.-L. Yuan, A. E. Anderson, J. D. Sweatt, and L. A. Schrader
Structure and Function of Kv4-Family Transient Potassium Channels
Physiol Rev, July 1, 2004; 84(3): 803 - 833.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
F. G. Akar, R. C. Wu, I. Deschenes, A. A. Armoundas, V. Piacentino III, S. R. Houser, and G. F. Tomaselli
Phenotypic differences in transient outward K+ current of human and canine ventricular myocytes: insights into molecular composition of ventricular Ito
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, February 1, 2004; 286(2): H602 - H609.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
S. S. Po, R. C. Wu, G. J. Juang, W. Kong, and G. F. Tomaselli
Mechanism of alpha -adrenergic regulation of expressed hKv4.3 currents
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, December 1, 2001; 281(6): H2518 - H2527.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Pharmacol. Rev.Home page
C.-C. Shieh, M. Coghlan, J. P. Sullivan, and M. Gopalakrishnan
Potassium Channels: Molecular Defects, Diseases, and Therapeutic Opportunities
Pharmacol. Rev., December 1, 2000; 52(4): 557 - 594.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
J. L. Greenstein, R. Wu, S. Po, G. F. Tomaselli, and R. L. Winslow
Role of the Calcium-Independent Transient Outward Current Ito1 in Shaping Action Potential Morphology and Duration
Circ. Res., November 24, 2000; 87(11): 1026 - 1033.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
A. D. Wickenden, T. J. Jegla, R. Kaprielian, and P. H. Backx
Regional contributions of Kv1.4, Kv4.2, and Kv4.3 to transient outward K+ current in rat ventricle
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, May 1, 1999; 276(5): H1599 - H1607.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Kong, W.
Right arrow Articles by Tomaselli, G. F.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Kong, W.
Right arrow Articles by Tomaselli, G. F.


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online