The dispensability of 14-3-3 proteins for the regulation of human cardiac sodium channel Nav1.5

Abstract

Background 14-3-3 proteins are ubiquitous proteins that play a role in cardiac physiology (e.g., metabolism, development, and cell cycle). Furthermore, 14-3-3 proteins were proposed to regulate the electrical function of the heart by interacting with several cardiac ion channels, including the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.5. Given the many cardiac arrhythmias associated with Nav1.5 dysfunction, understanding its regulation by the protein partners is crucial. Aims In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of 14-3-3 proteins in the regulation of the human cardiac sodium channel Nav1.5. Methods and results Amongst the seven 14-3-3 isoforms, only 14-3-3η (encoded by YWHAH gene) weakly co-immunoprecipitated with Nav1.5 when heterologously co-expressed in tsA201 cells. Total and cell surface expression of Nav1.5 was however not modified by 14-3-3η overexpression or inhibition with difopein, and 14-3-3η did not affect physical interaction between Nav1.5 α-α subunits. The current-voltage relationship and the amplitude of Nav1.5-mediated sodium peak current density were also not changed. Conclusions Our findings illustrate that the direct implication of 14-3-3 proteins in regulating Nav1.5 is not evident in a transformed human kidney cell line tsA201.