Article,

Modeling the actions of beta-adrenergic signaling on excitation--contraction coupling processes.

, , and .
Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci., (May 2004)
DOI: 10.1196/annals.1302.002

Abstract

Activation of the beta-adrenergic (beta-AR) signaling pathway enhances cardiac function through protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated phosphorylation of target proteins involved in the process of excitation-contraction (EC) coupling. Experimental studies of the effects of beta-AR stimulation on EC coupling have yielded complex results, including increased, decreased, or unchanged EC coupling gain. In this study, we extend a previously developed model of the canine ventricular myocyte describing local control of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium (Ca$^2+$) release to include the effects of beta-AR stimulation. Incorporation of phosphorylation-dependent effects on model membrane currents and Ca$^2+$-cycling proteins yields changes of action potential (AP) and Ca$^2+$ transients in agreement with those measured experimentally in response to the nonspecific beta-AR agonist isoproterenol (ISO). The model reproduces experimentally observed alterations in EC coupling gain in response to beta-AR agonists and predicts the specific roles of L-type Ca$^2+$ channel (LCC) and SR Ca$^2+$ release channel phosphorylation in altering the amplitude and shape of the EC coupling gain function. The model also indicates that factors that promote mode 2 gating of LCCs, such as beta-AR stimulation or activation of the Ca$^2+$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), may increase the probability of occurrence of early after-depolarizations (EADs), due to the random, long-duration opening of LCC gating in mode 2.

Tags

Users

  • @hake

Comments and Reviews