Loss of plakophilin-2 expression leads to decreased sodium current and slower conduction velocity in cultured cardiac myocytes.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Plakophilin-2 (PKP2) is an essential component of the cardiac desmosome. Recent data show that it interacts with other molecules of the intercalated disc. Separate studies show preferential localization of the voltage-gated sodium channel (Na(V)1.5) to this region.

Objective

To establish the association of PKP2 with sodium channels and its role on action potential propagation.

Methods and results

Biochemical, patch clamp, and optical mapping experiments demonstrate that PKP2 associates with Na(V)1.5, and that knockdown of PKP2 expression alters the properties of the sodium current, and the velocity of action potential propagation in cultured cardiomyocytes.

Conclusions

These results emphasize the importance of intermolecular interactions between prote

SUBMITTER: Sato PY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2742576 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature