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Journal article : Review

Nitric oxide and mechano-electrical transduction in cardiomyocytes

Abstract:
The ability of the heart to adapt to changes in the mechanical environment is critical for normal cardiac physiology. The role of nitric oxide is increasingly recognized as a mediator of mechanical signaling. Produced in the heart by nitric oxide synthases, nitric oxide affects almost all mechano-transduction pathways within the cardiomyocyte, with roles mediating mechano-sensing, mechano-electric feedback (via modulation of ion channel activity), and calcium handling. As more precise experimental techniques for applying mechanical stresses to cells are developed, the role of these forces in cardiomyocyte function can be further understood. Furthermore, specific inhibitors of different nitric oxide synthase isoforms are now available to elucidate the role of these enzymes in mediating mechano-electrical signaling. Understanding of the links between nitric oxide production and mechano-electrical signaling is incomplete, particularly whether mechanically sensitive ion channels are regulated by nitric oxide, and how this affects the cardiac action potential. This is of particular relevance to conditions such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure, in which nitric oxide production is reduced. Dysfunction of the nitric oxide/mechano-electrical signaling pathways are likely to be a feature of cardiac pathology (e.g., atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure) and a better understanding of the importance of nitric oxide signaling and its links to mechanical regulation of heart function may advance our understanding of these conditions.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.3389/fphys.2020.606740

Authors

More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
RDM
Sub department:
RDM Cardiovascular Medicine
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
RDM
Sub department:
RDM Cardiovascular Medicine
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
RDM
Sub department:
RDM Cardiovascular Medicine
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
RDM
Sub department:
RDM Cardiovascular Medicine
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
RDM
Sub department:
RDM Cardiovascular Medicine
Role:
Author


Publisher:
Frontiers Media
Journal:
Frontiers in Physiology More from this journal
Volume:
11
Article number:
606740
Publication date:
2020-12-15
Acceptance date:
2020-11-23
DOI:
EISSN:
1664-042X


Language:
English
Keywords:
Subtype:
Review
Pubs id:
1152387
Local pid:
pubs:1152387
Deposit date:
2021-01-06
ARK identifier:

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