Int J Biol Sci
2009; 5(2):201-204.
doi:10.7150/ijbs.5.201 This issueCite
Short Research Communication
Is sodium current present in human sinoatrial node cells?
Arie O. Verkerk✉, Ronald Wilders, Marcel M.G.J. van Borren, Hanno L. Tan
Heart Failure Research Center, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
✉ Correspondence to: Dr. Arie O. Verkerk, Department of Physiology, Academic Medical Center, PO Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Phone: +31-20-5664644; Fax: +31-20-6976177; E-mail: A.O.Verkerkuva.nl
Citation:
Verkerk AO, Wilders R, van Borren MMGJ, Tan HL. Is sodium current present in human sinoatrial node cells?. Int J Biol Sci 2009; 5(2):201-204. doi:10.7150/ijbs.5.201. https://www.ijbs.com/v05p0201.htm
Pacemaker activity of the sinoatrial node has been studied extensively in various animal species, but is virtually unexplored in man. As such, it is unknown whether the fast sodium current (INa) plays a role in the pacemaker activity of the human sinoatrial node. Recently, we had the unique opportunity to perform patch-clamp experiments on single pacemaker cells isolated from a human sinoatrial node. In 2 out of the 3 cells measured, we observed large inward currents with characteristics of INa. Although we were unable to analyze the current in detail, our findings provide strong evidence that INa is present in human sinoatrial node pacemaker cells, and that this INa is functionally available at potentials negative to -60 mV.
Keywords: action potentials, humans, ion channels, sinoatrial node, sodium channels
Citation styles
APA
Verkerk, A.O., Wilders, R., van Borren, M.M.G.J., Tan, H.L. (2009). Is sodium current present in human sinoatrial node cells?. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 5(2), 201-204. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.5.201.
ACS
Verkerk, A.O.; Wilders, R.; van Borren, M.M.G.J.; Tan, H.L. Is sodium current present in human sinoatrial node cells?. Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2009, 5 (2), 201-204. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.5.201.
NLM
Verkerk AO, Wilders R, van Borren MMGJ, Tan HL. Is sodium current present in human sinoatrial node cells?. Int J Biol Sci 2009; 5(2):201-204. doi:10.7150/ijbs.5.201. https://www.ijbs.com/v05p0201.htm
CSE
Verkerk AO, Wilders R, van Borren MMGJ, Tan HL. 2009. Is sodium current present in human sinoatrial node cells?. Int J Biol Sci. 5(2):201-204.