1. Archive
2. Vol.53, No.2

Role of Individual Ionic Current Systems in the SA Node Hypothesized by a Model Study

Abstract: This paper discusses the development of a cardiac sinoatrial (SA) node pacemaker model. The model successfully reconstructs the experimental action potentials at various concentrations of external Ca²⁺ and K⁺. Increasing the amplitude of L-type Ca²⁺ current (I_CaL) prolongs the duration of the action potential and thereby slightly decreases the spontaneous rate. On the other hand, a negative voltage shift of I_CaL gating by a few mV markedly increases the spontaneous rate. When the amplitude of sustained inward current (I_st) is increased, the spontaneous rate is increased irrespective of the I_CaL amplitude. Increasing [Ca²⁺]_o shortens the action potential and increases the spontaneous rate. When the spontaneous activity is stopped by decreasing I_CaL amplitude, the resting potential is nearly constant (−35 mV) over 1–15 mM [K⁺]_o as observed in the experiment. This is because the conductance of the inward background non-selective cation current balances with the outward [K⁺]_o-dependent K⁺ conductance. The unique role of individual voltage- and time-dependent ion channels is clearly demonstrated and distinguished from that of the background current by calculating an instantaneous zero current potential ("lead potential") during the course of the spontaneous activity.

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