Abstract
As reported for cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in sensory neurons, we investigated the action of Ca 2+–calmodulin and calmodulin antagonist (W7) on the apparent affinity of pacemaker ( I f) channels for cAMP. In this study, we used the patch-clamp technique in inside–out macro-patch configuration in rabbit sino-atrial cells. Intracellular calmodulin perfusion had no effect on f-channel activity and did not change the cAMP-induced I f activation shift. Nevertheless, W7 decreased maximal conductance and induced a voltage shift of the current activation curve towards negative potentials. W7 did not modify the positive shift caused by cAMP, and cAMP did not prevent the effects of W7. Contrary to the cyclic nucleotide-gated channel, the f-channel is not directly modulated by Ca 2+–calmodulin. The data suggest that W7 alters the voltage-dependent properties of I f independent of cAMP binding. This agent opens the pathway for a new family of bradycardic drugs.
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