An evolutionarily conserved pacemaker role for HCN ion channels in smooth muscle.

ABSTRACT: Although hyperpolarization-activated cation (HCN) ion channels are well established to underlie cardiac pacemaker activity, their role in smooth muscle organs remains controversial. HCN-expressing cells are localized to renal pelvic smooth muscle (RPSM) pacemaker tissues of the murine upper urinary tract and HCN channel conductance is required for peristalsis. To date, however, the I_h pacemaker current conducted by HCN channels has never been detected in these cells, raising questions on the identity of RPSM pacemakers. Indeed, the RPSM pacemaker mechanisms of the unique multicalyceal upper urinary tract exhibited by humans remains unknown. Here, we developed immunopanning purification protocols and demonstrate that 96% of isolated HCN+ cells exhibit I_h . Single-molec

SUBMITTER: Yang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10065941 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature