Define resting membrane potential + normal value
Difference in electrical charges btwn extra and intra¢ = -80-90mV
What are the most important ion gradients for RMP
large resting ion gradient
o Intra¢ [Na+] = 150mmol/L vs extra¢ = 25
o Intra¢ [K+] = 4mmol/L vs extra¢ = 150
Relation of AP phases to ECG
Phase 0 key events
RAPID DEPOL
* Opening of voltage gated Na+ channels
* Influx of Na+ =>membrane potential to +20-30mV = inward current (INa)
* Rapid upstroke = fully depolarize the ¢
Describe Na+ channel gates
2 gates
o M: activation gate => open when threshold of -65mV is reached
o H: inactivation gate => time dependent property of the channel = close channel after a certain time
Prevent any further exchange of Na+ during the rest of the AP
Phase 1 key events
EARLY REPOL
* When membrane potential reaches +30mV, triggers
o Closing of Na+ channels
o Slow opening of Ca2+ L-type
o Opening of voltage gated K+ channels = efflux of K+ = Ito
o Ca2+ activated Cl- current can also contribute to phase 1
More prominent phase 1
Better defined in atrial and Purkinje ¢ AP
Stronger in epicardium vs endocardium
Can cause J wave on ECG in R wave downslope
Phase 2 key events
PLATEAU
* While K+ still open => formation of outward currents larger IKS and smaller IKR
* Voltage gated Ca2+ channels (L type) also open around -30 to -35mV
o Slower in how they open vs K+ channels = Ca2+ influx (ICa-L)
Formation of a plateau: for every K+ out = Ca2+ in
o Plateau permits: small influx of Ca2+ => trigger larger release of Ca2+ => myocardial contraction
Cross bridge cycle and shortening of sarcomere
o Allows full movement of blood from that chamber before relaxation
If plateau is shorter and repolarization occurs beforehand = ejection of blood
* Final phase of plateau: membrane potential value => slowly 2nd to decr conductance of Ca2+ and incr K+
Phase 3 key events
Phase 4 key events
Which current maintain resting phase
Atrial, ventricular, His Purkinje ¢: value is mainly determined by conductance of K+ through IK1 channels
Atrial myocytes AP features
Ventricular myocytes AP features
Purkinje AP features
Pacemaker cells AP features
Lower resting membrane potential: -40 to -70mV
* Absence of KIR2 channels responsible for IK1 current
* UNSTABLE MEMBRANE POTENTIAL = never goes to rest (because Na+ channels open at -60mV and repolarization takes the membrane to -60mV)
o Membrane/voltage clock: progressive decr of repolarizing currents at end of AP + initiation depolarizing currents
IF => activate HCN channels => Na influx
ICa-T & ICa-L => Ca influx
o Ca2+ clock: initiated by spontaneous release of Ca2+ by SR w ryanodine R => trigger Na influx and Ca efflux
* Pacemaker current IF: major contributor of spontaneous automaticity in SA and AV node
Steps of PM cells AP
SA node automatic activity: which cells
P ¢
* Connected by each other by apposition of plasma membrane
* Coordination: transmembrane potential change almost simultaneously in all P¢
* Conductance from a dominant PM site => can shift in response to physiologic stimuli
Rate of spontaneous depolarization in SA node: 3 main factors
o Slope of phase 4: incr in slope => sooner reach of threshold => incr d/c rate
o Threshold potential: incr => delay onset of phase 0 => decr d/c rate and vice versa
o Membrane potential at initiation of phase 4: incr => easier to reach threshold => incr d/c rate
5 proposed PM currents to explain spontaneous depolarization in SA node
IK
IB
ICa-L and T
IF
o Safety factor: inhibition of 1 current leaves several others to carry depolarizing fct
Normal spontaneous depol rates
Delayed rectifier K+ current (Ik)
Background inward current (IP or IB)
Slow inward nodal Ca2+ current (ICa)
Inward current (If)