Abstract
The atrioventricular node (AVN) can act as a subsidiary cardiac pacemaker if the sinoatrial node fails. In this study, we investigated the effects of the Na-Ca exchange (NCX) inhibitor KB-R7943, and inhibition of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA), using thapsigargin or cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), on spontaneous action potentials (APs) and [Ca(2+)](i) transients from cells isolated from the rabbit AVN. Spontaneous [Ca(2+)](i) transients were monitored from undialysed AVN cells at 37°C using Fluo-4. In separate experiments, spontaneous APs and ionic currents were recorded using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Rapid application of 5 μM KB-R7943 slowed or stopped spontaneous APs and [Ca(2+)](i) transients. However, in voltage clamp experiments in addition to blocking NCX current (I(NCX)) KB-R7943 partially inhibited L-type calcium current (I(Ca,L)). Rapid reduction of external [Na(+)] also abolished spontaneous activity. Inhibition of SERCA (using 2.5 μM thapsigargin or 30 μM CPA) also slowed or stopped spontaneous APs and [Ca(2+)](i) transients. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) release influences spontaneous activity in AVN cells, and that this occurs via [Ca(2+)](i)-activated I(NCX); however, the inhibitory action of KB-R7943 on I(Ca,L) means that care is required in the interpretation of data obtained using this compound.