Key Points
- This research aims to identify and characterize a heart specific isoform of the alpha 1 subunit of the L-type voltage dependent calcium channel (VDCC).
- Isolation and sequencing of partial cDNA encoding the heart specific isoform.
- Northern analysis showing hybridizing bands for heart and skeletal muscle isoforms.
- Selective inhibition of mRNA expression in Xenopus oocytes using complementary oligodeoxy-nucleotides.
- The partial cDNA clone shows 64.7% similarity with the skeletal muscle alpha 1 subunit.
- Northern analysis reveals two bands (8.5 kb and 13 kb) for the heart isoform, versus one 6.5 kb band for skeletal muscle.
- Inhibition of mRNA expression supports the identity of the cDNA as part of the VDCC.
Structured PICO
PPopulationHeart tissue cDNA library and Xenopus oocytes
IInterventionSelective inhibition of mRNA expression by complementary oligodeoxy-nucleotides derived from the heart clone
CComparatorSkeletal muscle alpha 1 subunit / uninhibited expression
OOutcomeIsolation and sequencing of a partial cDNA encoding a heart specific isoform of the alpha 1 subunit of the L-type VDCCsurrogate
This study provides molecular evidence for a cardiac-specific isoform of the alpha 1 subunit of the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel.