Abstract-The transverse tubules (t-tubules) of mammalian cardiac ventricular myocytes are invaginations of the surface membrane. Recent studies have suggested that the structure and function of the t-tubules are more complex than previously believed; in particular, many of the proteins involved in cellular Ca 2ϩ cycling appear to be concentrated at the t-tubule. Thus, the t-tubules are an important determinant of cardiac cell function, especially as the main site of excitation-contraction coupling, ensuring spatially and temporally synchronous Ca 2ϩ release throughout the cell. Changes in t-tubule structure and protein expression occur during development and in heart failure, so that changes in the t-tubules may contribute to the functional changes observed in these conditions. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of recent studies of t-tubule structure and function in cardiac myocytes. Key Words: cardiac muscle Ⅲ t-tubules Ⅲ excitation-contraction coupling Ⅲ heart failure T he transverse tubules (t-tubules) of mammalian cardiac ventricular myocytes are invaginations of the surface membrane that occur at the Z line and have both transverse and longitudinal elements. Many of the proteins involved in excitation-contraction coupling appear to be concentrated at the t-tubules. Therefore, it has been suggested that the t-tubules play a central role in cell activation. In the present review, we will consider the immunohistochemical and functional evidence for protein localization at the t-tubules, potential problems in the interpretation of such data, and the functional consequences of such localization. We will also consider the possible role of the t-tubules in the functional changes that occur during cardiac development, hypertrophy, and failure.
Occurrence and Morphology of the T-TubulesT-tubules are present in the cardiac tissue of all species of mammals so far investigated (eg, mice, 1 rats, 2 guinea pigs, 3 rabbits, 4 dogs, 5 pigs, 1 and humans 6 ) but appear to be absent in avian, 7 reptile 8 and amphibian 8 cardiac tissue. Within mammalian cardiac tissue, t-tubules occur predominantly in ventricular myocytes, being either absent or far less developed in atrial, pacemaking, and conducting tissue, 9 although a recent report has suggested that Ϸ50% of atrial myocytes possess a sparse irregular tubular system. 10 The following discussion will concentrate on mammalian ventricular myocytes.The t-tubules are invaginations of the sarcolemma and glycocalyx, which appears to remain associated with the sarcolemma within the t-tubules. 11 Early studies of cardiac muscle showed that they occur at the Z line, at the end of each sarcomere 12 ; therefore, they occur at intervals of Ϸ2 m along the longitudinal axis of the ventricular myocyte. Subsequent studies have shown that the t-tubular system also has longitudinal extensions. 13 Although the t-tubules leave the surface membrane at the Z line, forming an approximately rectangular array, only Ϸ60% of the tubular volume occurs near the Z line; the other 40% ...