Alteration In Gene Expression Of The Acetylcholine-dependent Potassium Channel And Rapid-delayed Rectifier Potassium Channel In Patient With Atrial Fibrillation

Objective The purpose of this study is to investigate alterations in the acetylcholine-dependent potassium channel and rapid delayed rectifier potassium channel gene expression in patient with atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods Right atrial appendages were obtained from 12 patients with chronic AF (AF group) and 14 matched controls in sinus rhythm (SR group). All patients had a normal left ventricular function. The mRNA expression of Kir3.4 and Kr were detected by semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Total RNA was isolated and reversed transcribed into cDNA. In a semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction the cDNA of interest and of glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were complified and separated by ethidium bromide-stainde gel electrophoresis.Result The content of Kir3.4 mRNA in AF group ( 0.29?0.05) was significantly lower than that in SR group ( 0.51?0.05 ), PO.05 .There was no significant difference in the gene expression of Kr in SR group (0.56?0.03) and AF group (0.57?0.03) ,p>0.05.Conclusion These data suggest that transcriptional down-regulation of KACH may serve as the molecular basis of IKACH remodeling in patient with chronic AF. The mRNA level of Kr is unchanged in chronic AF patients whose Kr protein remodeling may be associated with a post-transcriptional regulation.