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Mechanically activated currents in chick heart cells

H Hu1, F Sachs

  • 1Biophysical Sciences, 120 Cary Hall, SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.

The Journal of Membrane Biology
|December 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Embryonic chick heart cells possess mechanosensitive currents activated by stretch. These currents, carried by Na+ and K+ ions, are blocked by Gd3+ and spider venom, indicating stretch-activated ion channels play a physiological role.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Cellular Electrophysiology
  • Mechanobiology

Background:

  • Heart rate and rhythm are influenced by mechanical forces.
  • Embryonic chick heart cells are a model for studying cardiac electrophysiology.
  • Mechanosensitive ion channels are crucial for cellular responses to mechanical stimuli.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and properties of mechanosensitive currents in acutely isolated embryonic chick heart cells.
  • To identify the ion selectivity and blockers of these currents.
  • To determine the relationship between whole-cell currents and stretch-activated ion channels (SACs).

Main Methods:

  • Perforated patch-clamp technique using two micropipettes to apply mechanical pressure.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Ionic substitution experiments to determine current carriers.
  • Pharmacological blockade using Gadolinium (Gd3+) and Grammostola spatulata venom.
  • Analysis of current-voltage (I/V) relationships and single-channel properties of SACs.

    • Main Results:

    • Whole-cell mechanosensitive currents, carried by Na+ and K+ (not Cl-), were observed.
    • These currents reversed at -16 mV and were blocked by Gd3+ and spider venom.
    • Two types of SACs (21 pS non-specific cation and 90 pS K+-selective) were identified, correlating with whole-cell currents.
    • Hypotonic stress induced anion conductance, distinct from cation currents evoked by direct mechanical stimulation.

    Conclusions:

    • Physiologically relevant mechanosensitive currents in embryonic chick heart cells originate from stretch-activated ion channels.
    • Gd3+ and Grammostola spatulata venom are effective blockers of these mechanosensitive currents.
    • Mechanical stimulation directly impacts cardiac cell activity via these ion channels.