L. Perchenet et al., Stimulation of Na/Ca exchange by the beta-adrenergic/protein kinase A pathway in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes at 37 degrees C, PFLUG ARCH, 439(6), 2000, pp. 822-828
We investigated the effect of beta-adrenergic stimulation on Na/Ca exchange
in whole-cell patch-clamped guinea-pig ventricular myocytes at 37 degrees
C. With ion channel and Na/K pump currents blocked, the Na/Ca exchange curr
ent (INa-Ca) was measured selectively as membrane current inhibited by 10 n
M nickel (Ni) during a voltage ramp applied between +80 and -120 mV. Isopre
naline (1 mu M) caused an increase in both inward and outward current gener
ated by the Na/Ca exchange, which was prevented by the beta-adrenoceptor bl
ocker propranolol. These data suggest that isoprenaline caused a receptor-m
ediated up-regulation of Na/Ca exchange activity. Mimicking beta-adrenocept
or activation, either by stimulation of adenylate cyclase with forskolin or
by internal dialysis of cells with cyclic AMP (3':5'-cyclic adenosine mono
phosphate), also increased INa-Ca. Using fluorescence Ca measurement, an in
crease of internal cAMP was shown to increase the rate of transmembrane Ca
transport via the Na/Ca exchange. A selective inhibitor of protein kinase A
prevented stimulation of Na/Ca exchange by isoprenaline. These data sugges
t that the underlying mechanism of stimulation was phosphorylation of the N
a/Ca exchange protein by protein kinase A. Isoprenaline did not stimulate I
Na-Ca when experiments were carried out at 20 degrees C, in contrast to the
findings at 37 degrees C. Modulation of Na/Ca exchange by the beta-adrener
gic pathway may have important physiological consequences for intracellular
Ca regulation and electrical activity during hormonal stimulation, or duri
ng sympathetic nerve stimulation.