Abstract
It is controversial whether the Na$^+$/Ca$^2+$-exchanger (NCX)
can induce cardiomyocyte contraction through reverse-mode exchange
and Ca$^2+$-induced Ca$^2+$ release (CICR). Information about
the spatial distribution and functional activity within different
sarcolemmal (SL) regions could shed light on this potential role.
We raised a new antibody to the NCX and showed by confocal laser
scanning microscopy (CLSM) that immunoreactivity is strongly expressed
throughout the surface SL and intercalated disk regions with punctate
labeling of the vertical transverse (T)-tubules but not the longitudinal
T-tubules. Immuno-electron microscopy confirmed CLSM observations.
Gold particles associated with the exchanger were within nanometer
range of particles signaling ryanodine receptors. A similar close
association was found between the L-type Ca$^2+$ channel (known
to be concentrated in the dyad) and ryanodine receptors. In whole-cell
patch-clamped cardiomyocytes, peak I(NCX) (measured at 90 mV) decreased
by approximately 40\% (497 +/- 32 vs. 304 +/- 12 pA, P < 0.001) after
detubulation, while membrane capacitance decreased by 27\% (204 +/-
11 vs. 150 +/- 7 pF, P < 0.01) thus giving a small but significant
16\% reduction in current density. Thus, the density and/or functional
activity of the NCX is greater in the vertical T-tubules than in
the longitudinal T-tubules, surface SL or disk regions, pointing
to important functional differences between these plasma membrane
domains. Our combined co-immunolocalization and physiological data
suggest that the NCX has multiple functions depending upon membrane
location. We suggest the possibility that NCX modulates CICR, sarcoplasmic
reticulum Ca$^2+$ load, and that it also serves to regulate Ca$^2+$
handling in neighboring cells.
- 14596788
- animals,
- antibodies,
- antibody
- blotting,
- calcium
- calcium,
- cardiac,
- cells,
- channel,
- channels,
- comparative
- confocal,
- cultured,
- direct,
- exchanger,
- fluorescent
- formamides,
- gov't,
- heart
- immunoelectron,
- immunohistochemistry,
- l-type,
- membrane
- microscopy,
- microtubules,
- monoclonal,
- myocardium,
- myocytes,
- non-u.s.
- p.h.s.,
- patch-clamp
- potentials,
- rabbits,
- rats,
- receptor
- release
- research
- ryanodine
- sarcolemma,
- sodium,
- sodium-calcium
- study,
- support,
- technique,
- techniques,
- u.s.
- ventricles,
- western,
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