Correlation between atrial ZnT-1 expression and atrial fibrillation in humans: A pilot study

Yoram Etzion, Amir Ganiel, Ofer Beharier, Aryeh Shalev, Victor Novack, Liobov Volvich, Dan Abrahamov, Menachem Matsa, Gideon Sahar, Arie Moran, Amos Katz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

ZnT-1 in Atrial Fibrillation. Background: Until recently, the membrane protein ZnT-1 was studied mainly in the context of zinc homeostasis. However, new findings indicate that it acts as an inhibitor of L-type calcium channels. We recently found that acute rapid pacing of the rat atria in vivo augments the expression of ZnT-1, while knockdown of ZnT-1 in culture can oppose the inhibition of L-type calcium channels following rapid pacing. This pilot study, the first to assess cardiac ZnT-1 in humans, was designed to look for possible correlation between the atrial expression of ZnT-1 and atrial fibrillation. Methods: Right atrial appendage tissue was collected from 39 patients (27 with sinus rhythm and 12 with atrial fibrillation; 6-permanent, 6- paroxysmal or persistent) undergoing open-heart surgery. The expression of ZnT-1 was analyzed by Western blot utilizing β-actin as an internal loading control and a standard rat heart sample (STD) for inter-blot comparison. Results: Overall atrial fibrillation patients (n = 12) had median ZnT-1/β-actin of 1.80 STD (inter-quartile range 1.26 to 2.85) versus 0.73 STD (0.24 to 1.64) in the sinus rhythm group (P = 0.002). No association was found between ZnT-1 level and most other clinical parameters tested. Multivariate analysis determined that atrial fibrillation and increased body mass index were the only independent variables clearly associated with higher ZnT-1 levels (Standardized coefficients Beta = 0.62, 0.31; P = 0.002, P = 0.04, respectively). Conclusions: This pilot study provides evidence for increased ZnT-1 expression in the atria of patients with atrial fibrillation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)157-164
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
Volume19
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Feb 2008

Keywords

  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Calcium channels
  • Cation diffusion facilitator proteins
  • Electrical remodeling
  • ZnT-1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Correlation between atrial ZnT-1 expression and atrial fibrillation in humans: A pilot study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this