BACKGROUND L-type calcium channel (LTCC) mutations have been associated with Brugada syndrome (BrS), short QT (SQT) syndrome, and Timothy syndrome (LQT8). Little is known about the extent to which LTCC mutations contribute to the J-wave syndromes associated with sudden cardiac death. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to identify mutations in the α1, β2, and α2δ subunits of LTCC (Cav1.2) among 205 probands diagnosed with BrS, idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF), and early repolarization syndrome (ERS). CACNA1C, CACNB2b, and CACNA2D1 genes of 162 probands with BrS and BrS+SQT, 19 with IVF, and 24 with ERS were screened by direct sequencing. METHODS/RESULTS Overall, 23 distinct mutations were identified. A total of 12.3%, 5.2%, and 16% of BrS/BrS+SQT, IVF, and ERS probands displayed mutations in α1, β2, and α2δ subunits of LTCC, respectively. When rare polymorphisms were included, the yield increased to 17.9%, 21%, and 29.1% for BrS/BrS+SQT, IVF, and ERS probands, respectively. Functional expression of two CACNA1C mutations associated with BrS and BrS+SQT led to loss of function in calcium channel current. BrS probands displaying a normal QTc had additional variations known to prolong the QT interval. CONCLUSION The study results indicate that mutations in the LTCCs are detected in a high percentage of probands with J-wave syndromes associated with inherited cardiac arrhythmias, suggesting that genetic screening of Cav genes may be a valuable diagnostic tool in identifying individuals at risk. These results are the first to identify CACNA2D1 as a novel BrS susceptibility gene and CACNA1C, CACNB2, and CACNA2D1 as possible novel ERS susceptibility genes.

Background-Brugada syndrome, characterized by ST-segment elevation in the right precordial ECG leads and the development of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, has been associated with mutations in 6 different genes. We identify and characterize a mutation in a new gene. Methods and Results-A 64-year-old white male displayed a type 1 ST-segment elevation in V1 and V2 during procainamide challenge. Polymerase chain reaction-based direct sequencing was performed using a candidate gene approach. A missense mutation (L10P) was detected in exon 1 of SCN3B, the ␤3 subunit of the cardiac sodium channel, but not in any other gene known to be associated with Brugada syndrome or in 296 controls. Wild-type (WT) and mutant genes were expressed in TSA201 cells and studied using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Coexpression of SCN5A/WTϩSCN1B/WTϩSCN3B/L10P resulted in an 82.6% decrease in peak sodium current density, accelerated inactivation, slowed reactivation, and a Ϫ9.6-mV shift of half-inactivation voltage compared with SCN5A/WTϩSCN1B/ WTϩSCN3B/WT. Confocal microscopy revealed that SCN5A/WT channels tagged with green fluorescent protein are localized to the cell surface when coexpressed with WT SCN1B and SCN3B but remain trapped in intracellular organelles when coexpressed with SCN1B/WT and SCN3B/L10P. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of Na V ␤3 in human ventricular myocardium. Conclusions-Our

Objectives The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that SCN10A variants contribute to the development of Brugada syndrome (BrS). Background BrS is an inherited sudden cardiac death syndrome. Fewer than 35% of BrS probands have genetically identified pathogenic variants. Recent evidence has implicated SCN10A, a neuronal sodium channel gene encoding Nav1.8 in the electrical function of the heart. Methods Clinical analysis and direct sequencing of BrS-susceptibility genes were performed on 150 probands, family members and >200 healthy controls. Expression and co-immunoprecipitation studies were performed to functionally characterize the putative pathogenic mutations. Results We identified 17 SCN10A mutations in 25 probands (20 M/5 F); 23 of the 25 (92.0%) displayed overlapping phenotypes. SCN10A mutations were found in 16.7% of BrS probands, approaching our yield for SCN5A mutations (20.1%). BrS patients with SCN10A mutations were more symptomatic and displayed significantly longer PR and QRS intervals than SCN10A negative BrS probands. The majority of mutations localized to the transmembrane-spanning regions. Heterologous co-expression of wild-type (WT) SCN10A with WT-SCN5A in HEK cells caused a near doubling of sodium channel current (INa) compared with WT-SCN5A alone. In contrast, co-expression of SCN10A mutants (R14L and R1268Q) with WT-SCN5A caused a 79.4% and 84.4% reduction in INa, respectively. Co-immunoprecipitation studies performed provide evidence for co-association of Nav1.8 and Nav1.5 in the plasma membrane. Conclusions Our study identifies SCN10A as a major susceptibility gene for BrS, thus greatly enhancing our ability to genotype and risk stratify probands and family members.

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) hold promise for therapeutic applications. To serve these functions, the hiPSC-CM must recapitulate the electrophysiologic properties of native adult cardiomyocytes. This study examines the electrophysiologic characteristics of hiPSC-CM between 11 and 121 days of maturity. Embryoid bodies (EBs) were generated from hiPS cell line reprogrammed with Oct4, Nanog, Lin28 and Sox2. Sharp microelectrodes were used to record action potentials (AP) from spontaneously beating clusters (BC) micro-dissected from the EBs (n = 103; 37°C) and to examine the response to 5 µM E-4031 (n = 21) or BaCl2 (n = 22). Patch-clamp techniques were used to record IKr and IK1 from cells enzymatically dissociated from BC (n = 49; 36°C). Spontaneous cycle length (CL) and AP characteristics varied widely among the 103 preparations. E-4031 (5 µM; n = 21) increased Bazett-corrected AP duration from 291.8±81.2 to 426.4±120.2 msec (p<0.001) and generated early afterdepolarizations in 8/21 preparations. In 13/21 BC, E-4031 rapidly depolarized the clusters leading to inexcitability. BaCl2, at concentrations that selectively block IK1 (50–100 µM), failed to depolarize the majority of clusters (13/22). Patch-clamp experiments revealed very low or negligible IK1 in 53% (20/38) of the cells studied, but presence of IKr in all (11/11). Consistent with the electrophysiological data, RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry studies showed relatively poor mRNA and protein expression of IK1 in the majority of cells, but robust expression of IKr. In contrast to recently reported studies, our data point to major deficiencies of hiPSC-CM, with remarkable diversity of electrophysiologic phenotypes as well as pharmacologic responsiveness among beating clusters and cells up to 121 days post-differentiation (dpd). The vast majority have a maximum diastolic potential that depends critically on IKr due to the absence of IK1. Thus, efforts should be directed at producing more specialized and mature hiPSC-CM for future therapeutic applications.

Background Early repolarization pattern in the ECG has been associated with increased risk for ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF), particularly when manifest in inferior leads. This study examines the mechanisms underlying VT/VF in the early repolarization syndrome (ERS). Method Transmembrane action potentials (AP) were simultaneously recorded from 2 epicardial and 1 endocardial site of coronary-perfused canine left-ventricular (LV) wedge preparations, together with a pseudo-ECG. Transient outward current (Ito) was recorded from epicardial myocytes isolated from inferior and lateral LV of the same heart. Results J wave area (pseudo-ECG), epicardial AP notch magnitude and index were larger in inferior vs. lateral wall preparations at baseline and after exposure to provocative agents (NS5806+verapamil+acetylcholine (ACh)). Ito density was greater in myocytes from inferior vs. lateral wall (18.4±2.3pA/pF vs. 11.6±2.0pA/pF;p<0.05). A combination of NS5806 (7μM) and verapamil (3μM) or pinacidil (4μM), used to pharmacologically model the genetic defects responsible for ERS, resulted in prominent J-point and ST-segment elevation. ACh (3μM), simulating increased vagal tone, precipitated phase-2-reentry-induced polymorphic VT/VF. Using identical protocols, inducibility of arrhythmias was 3-fold higher in inferior vs. lateral wedges. Quinidine (10μM) or isoproterenol (1μM) restored homogeneity and suppressed VT/VF. Conclusion Our data support the hypothesis that 1) ERS is caused by a preferential accentuation of the AP notch in LV epicardium; 2) this repolarization defect is accentuated by elevated vagal tone; 3) higher intrinsic levels of Ito account for the greater sensitivity of the inferior LV wall to development of VT/VF; 4) quinidine and isoproterenol exert ameliorative effects by reversing the repolarization abnormality.

In the present study, we report the first pathogenic mutation in the CACNA2D1 gene in humans, which causes a new variant of SQTS. It remains to be determined whether mutations in this gene lead to other manifestations of the J-wave syndrome.

Background ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) cardiac channels consist of inward rectifying channel subunits Kir6.1 or Kir6.2 (encoded by KCNJ8 or KCNJ11) and the sulfonylurea receptor subunits SUR2A (encoded by ABCC9). Objective To examine the association of mutations in KCNJ8 with Brugada (BrS) and early repolarization (ERS) syndromes and elucidate the mechanism underlying the gain of function of KATP channel current (IK-ATP). Methods Direct sequencing of KCNJ8 and other candidate genes was performed on 204 BrS and ERS probands and family members. Whole-cell and inside-out patch clamp methods were used to study mutated channels expressed in TSA201 cells. Results The same missense mutation, p.Ser422Leu (c.1265C>T) in KCNJ8, was identified in 3 BrS and 1 ERS proband, but was absent in 430 alleles from ethnically-matched healthy controls. Additional genetic variants included CACNB2b-D601E. Whole cell patch clamp studies showed a two-fold gain of function of glibenclamide-sensitive IK-ATP when KCNJ8-S422L was co-expressed with SUR2A-wild type. Inside-out patch clamp evaluation yielded a significantly greater IC50 for ATP in the mutant channels (785.5±2 vs. 38.4±3 µM, n=5; p<0.01) pointing to incomplete closing of the KATP channels under normoxic conditions. Patients with a CACNB2b-D601E polymorphism displayed longer QT/QTc intervals, likely due to their effect to induce an increase in ICa-L. Conclusion Our results support the hypothesis that KCNJ8 is a susceptibility gene for Brugada and early repolarization syndromes and point to S422L as a possible hotspot mutation. Our findings suggest that the S422L-induced gain of function in IK-ATP is due to reduced sensitivity to intracellular ATP.

BACKGROUND Cardiac sodium channel β-subunit mutations have been associated with several inherited cardiac arrhythmia syndromes. OBJECTIVE To identify and characterize variations in SCN1Bb associated with Brugada (BrS) and sudden infant death syndromes (SIDS). METHODS AND RESULTS Patient 1 was a 44-y/o male with an ajmaline-induced Type-1 ST-segment elevation in V1 and V2 supporting the diagnosis of BrS. Patient 2 was a 62-y/o female displaying a coved-type BrS ECG who developed cardiac arrest during fever. Patient 3 was a 4-m/o female SIDS case. All known exons and intron borders of BrS and SIDS susceptibility genes were amplified and sequenced in both directions. A R214Q variant was detected in exon 3A of SCN1Bb (Navβ1B) in all three probands, but not in any other gene previously associated with BrS or SIDS. R214Q was identified in 4 of 807 ethnically-matched healthy controls (0.50%). Wild type (WT) and mutant genes were expressed in TSA201 cells and studied using whole-cell patch-clamp and co-immunoprecipitation techniques. Co-expression of SCN5A/WT+SCN1Bb/R214Q resulted in peak sodium channel current (INa) 56.5% smaller compared to SCN5A/WT+SCN1Bb/WT ( n=11–12, p<0.05 ). Co-expression of KCND3/WT+SCN1Bb/R214Q induced a Kv4.3 current (Ito) 70.6% greater compared with KCND3/WT+SCN1Bb/WT(n=10–11, p<0.01). Co-immunoprecipitation indicated structural association between Navβ1B and Nav1.5 and Kv4.3. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that R214Q variation in SCN1Bb is a functional polymorphism that may serve as a modifier of the substrate responsible for Brugada or SIDS phenotypes via a combined loss of function of INa and gain of function of Ito.