Gene expression of SERCA2a and L- and T-type Ca channels during human heart development

• Published in: Pediatric research Vol. 50; no. 5; pp. 569 - 574
• Main Authors: YONGXIA QU, BOUTJDIR, Mohamed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01.11.2001
• Subjects: Adult; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western; Calcium Channels, L-Type - genetics; Calcium Channels, T-Type - genetics; Calcium-Transporting ATPases - genetics; DNA Primers; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heart - embryology; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Organogenesis. Fetal development; Organogenesis. Physiological fonctions; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S - genetics; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S - metabolism; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases; Heart; Human; Embryonic development; Fetal development; Embryo; Newborn; Calcium; Adult; Fetus; Ionic channel; Gene expression
• ISSN: 0031-3998; 1530-0447
• DOI: 10.1203/00006450-200111000-00006

In this study we report, for the first time, on the gene expression of human cardiac SERCA2a, L-type (alpha(1C)) and T-type (alpha(1H)) Ca channels during development, using RNase protection assay, relative quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. Human hearts during early gestation (8- to 20-wk gestation), neonatal (1- to 4-d-old) and adult (18- to 48-year-old) stages were used. The results show that T-type Ca channel alpha(1H) subunit mRNA decreased and that L-type Ca channel alpha(1C) subunit mRNA increased with development. While the levels of sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase (SERCA2a) mRNA did not significantly change with development, its protein levels increased with development. In conclusion, SERCA2a, L-type and T-type Ca channel transcripts were detected as early as 8-wk gestation. Defining the profile of Ca handling proteins during development is important to the understanding of excitation-contraction (EC)-coupling of the developing human heart.