The Role of K Channels in Atrial Fibrillation.

This manuscript explores the intricate role of acetylcholine-activated inward rectifier potassium (K) channels in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF), a common cardiac arrhythmia. It delves into the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underpin AF, emphasizing the vital function of K channels in modulating the atrial action potential and facilitating arrhythmogenic conditions. This study underscores the dual nature of K activation and its genetic regulation, revealing that specific variations in potassium channel genes, such as Kir3.

Identification of RNA reads encoding different channels in isolated rat ventricular myocytes and the effect of cell stretching on L-type Cacurrent.

Background: The study aimed to identify transcripts of specific ion channels in rat ventricular cardiomyocytes and determine their potential role in the regulation of ionic currents in response to mechanical stimulation. The gene expression levels of various ion channels in freshly isolated rat ventricular cardiomyocytes were investigated using the RNA-seq technique. We also measured changes in current through Ca1.