SCN5A variant R222Q generated abnormal changes in cardiac sodium current and action potentials in murine myocytes and Purkinje cells

Abstract

Background: The cardiac sodium channel (SCN5A) mutation R222Q neutralizes a positive charge in the domain I voltage sensor. Mutation carriers display very frequent ectopy and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: To describe the effect of SCN5A R222Q on murine myocyte and Purkinje fiber electrophysiology, and identify underlying mechanisms.

Methods: We generated mice carrying humanized wild-type (H) and mutant (RQ) SCN5A channels. We characterized whole-heart and isolated ventricular and Purkinje myocyte properties.

Results: RQ/RQ mice were not viable. I_Na from RQ/H ventricular myocytes displayed increased "window current" and hyperpolarizing shifts in both inactivation and activation compared to H/H, as previously reported in heterologous expression systems. Surprisingly, action potentials were markedly abbreviated in RQ/H myocytes (action potential durations at 90% repolarization: 12.6 ± 1.3 ms vs 29.1 ± 1.0 ms in H/H, P < .01, n = 10 each). We identified a large [K⁺]_o-dependent outward gating pore current in RQ/H but not H/H myocytes, and decreasing [K⁺]_o elicited early afterdepolarizations (EADs) and triggered activity in isolated myocytes and ectopic beats in whole hearts. Further, RQ/H Purkinje cells displayed striking, consistent low-voltage EADs. In vivo, however, RQ/H mice displayed little ectopy and contractile function was normal.

Conclusion: While SCN5A R222Q increases plateau inward sodium current, action potentials were unexpectedly shortened, likely reflecting an outward gating-pore current. Low extracellular potassium increased this pore current, and was arrhythmogenic in vitro and ex vivo.

Keywords: Channelopathy; Dilated cardiomyopathy; Mouse models; SCN5A; Sodium channels.