Abstract
Objective: Cardiac Na/Ca exchanger (NCX) protein is up-regulated and intracellular free magnesium ([Mg2+]i) is significantly reduced in experimental heart failure. We asked whether changes in [Mg2+]i in a physiologically relevant range could alter the INCX. Methods: The nickel-sensitive current was measured in voltage-clamped myocytes (Yorkshire pig; left ventricular) exposed to ramp pulses at 37°C in Tyrode's solution containing ouabain, nifedipine and ±Ni2+ (5 mmol/l). The intracellular free [Ca2+] and [Mg2+] concentrations were set at 50 nmol/l and 1.25 mmol/l (HiMg) or 0.13 mmol/l (LoMg), respectively, through pipette dialysis. Results: Reducing [Mg2+]i resulted in a significant increase in both outward and inward Ni-sensitive current without a shift in the reversal potential. This effect was not due to the inadvertent reduction of intracellular free [ATP] secondary to binding of ATP to Mg2+; reducing intracellular [ATP] in LoMg cells from 1.35 mmol/l to 0.18 mmol/l did not affect INCX. The intracellular free [Ca2+] was raised from 50 to 200 nmol/l, resulting in augmented inward and outward current due to calcium activation. HiMg attenuated both inward and outward currents significantly compared to LoMg, suggesting that [Mg2+]i competes with [Ca2+]i at the allosteric regulatory site. Conclusion: Cytosolic free magnesium modulates the INCX over a physiologic range independent of [ATP]i. Reduced [Mg2+]i in heart failure could contribute to altered calcium regulation of the NCX, contributing to the altered heart failure phenotype through enhanced NCX activity.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 334-340 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Cardiovascular Research |
Volume | 53 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2002 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Intra/extracellular ions
- Ion channels
- Myocytes
- Na/Ca-exchanger