Mechanism of pacemaking in I(K1)-downregulated myocytes

Biological pacemakers were recently created by genetic suppression of inward rectifier potassium current, I(K1), in guinea pig ventricular cells. We simulated these cells by adjusting I(K1) conductance in the Luo-Rudy model of the guinea pig ventricular myocyte. After 81% I(K1) suppression, the simulated cell reached steady state with pacemaker period of 594 ms. Pacemaking current is carried by the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger, I(NaCa), which depends on the intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i. This [Ca2+]i dependence suggests responsiveness (increase in rate) to beta-adrenergic stimulation (betaAS), as observed experimentally. Simulations of betaAS demonstrate such responsiveness, which depends on I(NaCa) expression. However, a simultaneous betaAS-mediated increase in the slow delayed rectifier, I(Ks), limits betaAS sensitivity.