Ito1 is rapidly activated and deactivated.[2] It is activated after the fast increase of the membrane potential following the phase 0 of the cardiac action potential. Once activated, (K+) ions from inside the cells flow to the extracellular space. This outward flow of positively charged ions constitutes the Ito1 and causes the transmembrane voltage to decrease. This decrease of the transmembrane potential is known as repolarization. Ito1 is then quickly deactivated, stopping the repolarization and ending the phase 1 of the action potential.
Ito1 is Ca2+-independent[3] and has been clearly demonstrated in myocytes from different cardiac regions and species.[3] There are two kinetic variants of cardiac Ito1: fast Ito1, called Ito1,f, and slow Ito, called Ito1,s. The channel responsible for Ito1,f is formed by assembly of Kv4.2 (KCND2) subunits, Kv4.3 (KCND3) subunits or a combination of the two, while the channel responsible for Ito1,s is composed of Kv1.4 (KCNA4) subunits.[2] In addition, several regulatory subunits and pathways modulating the level and biophysical properties of cardiac Ito have been identified.[2]
Ito1 affects the opening of Ca2+ channels during Phase 2 of the Action Potential. As a result, changes in Ito1 modulate changes in the action potential duration.[2]
Role in disease
Reduction in Ito1 density is associated with prolonged action potentials and is a common finding in cardiac disease .[3]
Ito1 density is significantly lower in the cells of a failing heart in comparison to the cells of a healthy heart.[4]
Ito activation is inhibited by thyrotropin (TSH).[6] This mechanisms may be one of the reasons for the observation that both bradycardia and atrial fibrillation are common in hypothyroidism.[7][8][9]
An increase in the Ito1 density caused by a mutation in Kv4.3 can be a cause of Brugada Syndrome.[10]
^ abcdWettwer E, Amos G, Gath J, Zerkowski HR, Reidemeister JC, Ravens U (September 1993). "Transient outward current in human and rat ventricular myocytes". Cardiovascular Research. 27 (9): 1662–1669. doi:10.1093/cvr/27.9.1662. PMID8287446.
^ abcOudit GY, Kassiri Z, Sah R, Ramirez RJ, Zobel C, Backx PH (May 2001). "The molecular physiology of the cardiac transient outward potassium current (I(to)) in normal and diseased myocardium". Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. 33 (5): 851–872. doi:10.1006/jmcc.2001.1376. PMID11343410. S2CID829154.
^Brandt MC, Priebe L, Böhle T, Südkamp M, Beuckelmann DJ (October 2000). "The ultrarapid and the transient outward K(+) current in human atrial fibrillation. Their possible role in postoperative atrial fibrillation". Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. 32 (10): 1885–1896. doi:10.1006/jmcc.2000.1221. PMID11013132.