Experimental Mapping of the Canine KCNJ2 and KCNJ12 Gene Structures and Functional Analysis of the Canine K(IR)2.2 ion Channel.

For many model organisms traditionally in use for cardiac electrophysiological studies, characterization of ion channel genes is lacking. We focused here on two genes encoding the inward rectifier current, KCNJ2 and KCNJ12, in the dog heart. A combination of RT-PCR, 5'-RACE, and 3'-RACE demonstrated the status of KCNJ2 as a two exon gene.

Alternative promoter usage and splicing of the human SCN5A gene contribute to transcript heterogeneity.

The sodium channel isoform Na(v)1.5 mediates sodium current, excitability, and electrical conduction in the human heart. Recent studies have indicated alternative splicing within the protein-coding portion of its gene, SCN5A, as a mechanism to generate diversity in Na(v)1.

Human cardiomyocyte progenitor cell-derived cardiomyocytes display a maturated electrical phenotype.

Cardiomyocyte progenitor cells (CMPCs) can be isolated from the human heart and differentiated into cardiomyocytes in vitro. A comprehensive assessment of their electrical phenotype upon differentiation is essential to predict potential future applications of this cell source. CMPCs isolated from human fetal heart were differentiated in vitro and examined using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, RT-PCR, voltage clamp and current clamp techniques.