Zusammenfassung
BACKGROUND: Complex physiological interactions determine the functional
consequences of gene abnormalities and make mechanistic interpretation
of phenotypes extremely difficult. A recent example is a single mutation
in the C terminus of the cardiac Na$^+$ channel, 1795insD. The
mutation causes two distinct clinical syndromes, long QT (LQT) and
Brugada, leading to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Coexistence
of these syndromes is seemingly paradoxical; LQT is associated with
enhanced Na$^+$ channel function, and Brugada with reduced function.
METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a computational approach, we demonstrate
that the 1795insD mutation exerts variable effects depending on the
myocardial substrate. We develop Markov models of the wild-type and
1795insD cardiac Na$^+$ channels. By incorporating the models
into a virtual transgenic cell, we elucidate the mechanism by which
1795insD differentially disrupts cellular electrical behavior in
epicardial and midmyocardial cell types. We provide a cellular mechanistic
basis for the ECG abnormalities observed in patients carrying the
1795insD gene mutation. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that the 1795insD
mutation can cause both LQT and Brugada syndromes through interaction
with the heterogeneous myocardium in a rate-dependent manner. The
results highlight the complexity and multiplicity of genotype-phenotype
relationships, and the usefulness of computational approaches in
establishing a mechanistic link between genetic defects and functional
abnormalities.
- 11889029
- action
- arrhythmia,
- cardiovascular,
- chains,
- channel
- channels,
- computer
- electrocardiography,
- gating,
- gov't,
- heart
- humans,
- internet,
- ion
- long
- markov
- models,
- mutation,
- myocardium,
- non-u.s.
- of
- p.h.s.,
- phenotype,
- potentials,
- qt
- relationship,
- reproducibility
- research
- results,
- simulation,
- sodium
- sodium,
- structure-activity
- support,
- syndrome,
- u.s.
- ventricles,
Nutzer