Cardiac arrhythmias linked to gene mutations

New Rochelle, NY, September 28, 2020—Life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias can be linked to the functional and structural consequences of gene mutations. The study is published in the peer-reviewed journal Bioelectricity. Click here to read the full-text article free on the Bioelectricity website through October 28, 2020.

“Voltage-gated sodium (Na_v) channel activity in the heart enables us to live! In enabling this, the channel proteins associate with auxiliary (‘ß’) subunits. Now we see how important the ß-subunit integrity is to heart function,” says Co-Editor-in-Chief Mustafa Djamgoz, PhD, Imperial College London.

The researchers used X-ray crystallography and electrophysiological measurements. They examined the interaction of voltage-gated sodium (Na_v) channels with cardiac arrhythmia-associated mutations in SCN2B (or ß2) and SCN4B (or ß4) genes that are known generally to modify Na_v channel function. 

“SCN4B180T data suggested a functionally important region in the interaction between Na_v1.5 and ß4 that, when disrupted, could lead to thermal instability and channel dysfunction,” state Filip Van Petegem, PhD, University of British Columbia, Frank Bosmans, PhD, Ghent University, and coauthors.

“Ion channels are critical for many functions in the body. The improved understanding of how genetic sequence contributes to bioelectric properties in cells will provide insight into not only cardiac syndromes but also cancer, birth defects, and organ repair,” says Co-Editor-in-Chief Michael Levin, PhD, Tufts University. 

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About the Journal
Bioelectricity is the only peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the study of the natural electricity within living organisms and how to harness this phenomenon to treat and cure disease. The Journal, led by Co-Editors-in-Chief Mustafa Djamgoz, PhD, Imperial College London, and Michael Levin, PhD, Tufts University, publishes groundbreaking multidisciplinary research and advances documenting this next step in the evolution of how we study life. For complete tables of content and a sample issue, please visit the  Bioelectricity website.

About the Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research. Its biotechnology trade magazine, GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), was the first in its field and is today the industry’s most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm’s 90 journals, newsmagazines, and books is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website.