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Gap junctions in the rabbit sinoatrial node.

S Verheule1, M J van Kempen, S Postma

  • 1Department of Medical Physiology and Sports Medicine, Utrecht University, 3531 HR Utrecht, The Netherlands. sverheul@iupui.edu

American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology
|April 12, 2001
PubMed
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Pacemaker cells in the sinoatrial node utilize connexin (Cx)40, Cx46, and Cx43 gap junctions for electrical communication. These gap junctions facilitate synchronized heartbeats with minimal sensitivity to voltage changes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cellular Electrophysiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Electrical interactions and synchronization within the sinoatrial node are not fully understood.
  • Gap junctions play a crucial role in cardiac electrical conduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the expression and biophysical properties of gap junctions in rabbit sinoatrial node pacemaker myocytes.
  • To elucidate the role of specific connexins in sinoatrial node function.

Main Methods:

  • Combined immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology.
  • Perforated-patch voltage clamp recordings from isolated pacemaker myocyte pairs.
  • Dual voltage clamp and single-channel recordings.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Pacemaker myocytes in the sinoatrial node center express connexin (Cx)40 and Cx46.
  • The periphery shows intermingling of myocytes expressing Cx43 with those expressing Cx40 and Cx46.
  • Macroscopic junctional conductance averaged 7.5 nS and was insensitive to transjunctional potential.
  • Single-channel conductances of 133, 202, and 241 pS were identified.

Conclusions:

  • The identified connexin composition suggests a complex gap junction network in the sinoatrial node.
  • A small number of open gap junction channels can account for the measured macroscopic conductance, highlighting efficient electrical coupling.