Dual role of miR-1 in the development and function of sinoatrial cells

miR-1, the most abundant miRNA in the heart, modulates expression of several transcription factors and ion channels. Conditions affecting the heart rate, such as endurance training and cardiac diseases, show a concomitant miR-1 up- or down-regulation. Here, we investigated the role of miR-1 overexpression in the development and function of sinoatrial (SAN) cells using murine embryonic stem cells (mESC). We generated mESCs either overexpressing miR-1 and EGFP (miR1OE) or EGFP only (EM). SAN-like cells were selected from differentiating mESC using the CD166 marker. Gene expression and electrophysiological analysis were carried out on both early mES-derived cardiac progenitors and SAN-like cells and on beating neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVC) over-expressing miR-1. miR1OE cells increased significantly the proportion of CD166⁺ SAN precursors compared to EM cells (23% vs 12%) and the levels of the transcription factors TBX5 and TBX18, both involved in SAN development. miR1OE SAN-like cells were bradycardic (1,3 vs 2 Hz) compared to EM cells. In agreement with data on native SAN cells, EM SAN-like cardiomyocytes show two populations of cells expressing either slow- or fast-activating I_f currents; miR1OE SAN-like cells instead have only fast-activating I_f with a significantly reduced conductance. Western Blot and immunofluorescence analysis showed a reduced HCN4 signal in miR-1OE vs EM CD166+ precursors. Together these data point out to a specific down-regulation of the slow-activating HCN4 subunit by miR-1. Importantly, the rate and I_f alterations were independent of the developmental effects of miR-1, being similar in NRVC transiently overexpressing miR-1. In conclusion, we demonstrated a dual role of miR-1, during development it controls the proper development of sinoatrial-precursor, while in mature SAN-like cells it modulates the HCN4 pacemaker channel translation and thus the beating rate.