Differential modulation by adenylate cyclase of Ca2+ and delayed K+ current in ventricular myocytes

This study was designed to investigate the differential modulation of the L-type Ca2+ (ICa) and the delayed rectifier K+ (IK) currents by direct activation of adenylate cyclase in guinea pig ventricular preparations. Action potentials were measured with conventional microelectrodes in excised papillary muscles. Isoproterenol significantly shortened the action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90) at 0.1 nM but significantly prolonged it at a higher concentration (10 nM). A water-soluble forskolin derivative, 6-(3-dimethylaminopropionyl) forskolin (NKH-477), slightly but significantly shortened APD at 12 nM but not at a higher concentration (120 nM). Effects of isoproterenol and NKH-477 on ICa and IK were also investigated by use of the whole cell voltage-clamp technique in single ventricular cells. Isoproterenol increased not only IK but also ICa at the same threshold concentration (0.3 nM). In contrast, the threshold concentration of NKH-477 for increasing IK (approximately 1 nM) was clearly lower than that for increasing ICa (10 nM). These results indicate that ICa and IK channels could be differentially regulated during beta-adrenoceptor stimulation.