This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (2013068067); by the Brain Korea 21 Graduate Programme of the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Seoul National University Hospital, the Korean Society of Hypertension (2013), SK Telecom Research Fund (no. 3420130290) and from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC&#160;31460265; NSFC 81260035).

The protocol is in accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals published by the UN National Institutes of Health (NIH Publication No. 85-23, revised 1996). It was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of Seoul National University (IACUC approval no.: SNU-101213-1).
1. Buffer Preparation (Table Materials and Equipment)
<ol>
	<li>Prepare 300 ml of fresh isolation solution on the day of the experiment (in mM: NaCl, 135; KCl, 5.4; MgCl2...

<ol>
	<li>Bers, D. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cardiac+excitation-contraction+coupling.">Cardiac excitation-contraction coupling.</a> Nature. 415 (6868), 198-205 (2002).</li><li>Eisner, D. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Integrative+analysis+of+calcium+cycling+in+cardiac+muscle.">Integrative analysis of calcium cycling in cardiac muscle.</a> Circ Res. 87 (12), 1087-1094 (2000).</li><li>Palmiter, K. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+mechanisms+regulating+the+myofilament+response+to+Ca2+:+implications+of+mutations+causal+for+familial+hypertrophic+cardiomyopathy.">Molecular mechanisms regulating the myofilament response to Ca2+: implications of mutations causal for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.</a> Basic Res Cardiol. 92 (S1), 63-74 (1997).</li><li>Missiaen, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Abnormal+intracellular+Ca2++homeostasis+and+disease.">Abnormal intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and disease.</a> Cell Calcium. 28 (1), 1-21 (2000).</li><li>Trafford, A. W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel,+rapid+and+reversible+method+to+measure+Ca+buffering+and+time-course+of+total+sarcoplasmic+reticulum+Ca+content+in+cardiac+ventricular+myocytes.">A novel, rapid and reversible method to measure Ca buffering and time-course of total sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca content in cardiac ventricular myocytes.</a> Pflugers Arch. 437 (3), 501-503 (1999).</li><li>Berlin, J. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intrinsic+cytosolic+calcium+buffering+properties+of+single+rat+cardiac+myocytes.">Intrinsic cytosolic calcium buffering properties of single rat cardiac myocytes.</a> Biophys J. 67 (4), 1775-1787 (1994).</li><li>Robertson, S. 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The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

Here, we describe the protocols to assess changes of myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in single isolated cardiac myocyte and emphasize the importance of measuring this parameter alongside electrophysiological properties, intracellular Ca2+ transients, and myofilament dynamics. This is because the recordings of one or two of the parameters may not explicate the mechanisms underlying cardiac contraction and relaxation. Unlike conventional methods that measure myocyte contraction and the intracellular Ca<s...

Cardiac excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling is the fundamental scheme for analyzing mechanical properties of the myocardium, i.e., the contractile function of the heart1,2. E-C coupling is initiated by membrane depolarization secondary to the activities of sarcolemmal ion channels (e.g., the voltage-gated Na+ channel, which can be measured via patch-clamp techniques). Subsequent activation of voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs) and Ca2+ influx via LTCCs trigger the bulk of Ca2+ release through ryanodine receptors (RyRs), increasing the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration from the nanomolar (nM) to micromolar (&#181;M) level. Such an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ promotes Ca2+ binding to troponin C (TnC) in thin filaments and elicits conformational changes of the filament complex to facilitate the actin-myosin interaction and attains myocardial contraction3. Conversely, the cytosolic Ca2+ is re-uptaken&#160;back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) through the Ca2+-ATPase in SR (SERCA2a) or is extruded out of the myocyte via the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and the plasmalemmal Ca2+ ATPase1,2. Consequently, the decline in cytosolic Ca2+ instigates conformational changes of thin filaments back to the original state, resulting in the dissociation of actin-myosin and myocyte relaxation1-3. In this scheme, the activity of SERCA2a is generally considered to determine the speed of myocardial relaxation because it accounts for 70 - 90% of cytosolic Ca2+ removal in most mammalian heart cells1. As such, abnormal Ca2+ handling by LTCC, RyR and SERCA2a, etc. has been considered the primary mechanisms for impaired contractility and relaxation in the diseased heart1-4.
In reality, free cytosolic Ca2+ that functions as the messenger in E-C coupling accounts for around 1% of total intracellular Ca2+ and the majority of Ca2+ is bound to intracellular Ca2+ buffers5,6. This is due to the fact that various Ca2+ buffers are abundant in cardiac myocytes, e.g., membrane phospholipids, ATP, phosphocreatine, calmodulin, parvalbumin, myofibril TnC, myosin, SERCA2a, and calsequestrin in the SR.5,6,7. Among them, SERCA2a and TnC are the predominant Ca2+ buffers5,6,7. Furthermore, Ca2+ binding to its buffers is a dynamic process during twitch (e.g., 30-50% of Ca2+ binds to TnC and dissociate from it during Ca2+ transients7) and the change in Ca2+ binding cause additional &#34;release&#34; of free Ca2+ to the cytosol, results in the alterations of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Consequently, perturbation of the intracellular Ca2+ level induces abnormal myofilament movements, which are the precursors of contractile dysfunction and arrhythmias8,9. Many factors (both physiological and pathological) can be the sources of post-transcriptional modifications of myofilament proteins, which influence myofilament Ca2+ buffering and myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity8-10. Recently, it was reported that mutations in myofilament proteins increase the Ca2+ binding affinity and intracellular Ca2+ handling, triggering pause-dependent potentiation of Ca2+ transients, abnormal Ca2+ release, and arrhythmias8. In line with this concept, we have also shown that myofilament Ca2+ desensitization in hypertensive rat hearts secondary to the up-regulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase is associated with elevated diastolic and systolic Ca2+ levels11, which in turn, increases the vulnerability of the LTCC to Ca2+-dependent inactivation12. Hence, myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity is an &#34;active&#34; regulator of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and myocyte contractile function. It has become necessary to analyze interactions between myofilament and Ca2+ handling proteins for thorough investigation of myocyte E-C coupling and cardiac function.
Here, we describe a protocol that assesses the changes of myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in isolated cardiac myocytes. Comprehensive analysis of&#160;intracellular Ca2+ profile, myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity and contraction will unearth novel mechanisms underlying myocardial mechanics.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="1136">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="66">
			<td height="66" style="height:66px;width:315px;">Sprague Dawley rat</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Koatech</td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:565px;">8-12 weeks</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="54">
			<td height="54" style="height:54px;width:315px;">Pentobarbital Sodium</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Hanlim Pharmaceutical (Korea)</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">AHN901</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Insurance code:645301220</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">NaCl</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">S9625</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">KCl</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">P4504</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">NaH2PO4</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">S8282</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">HEPES</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">H3375</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">Glucose</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">G8270</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">CaCl2</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Biosesang</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">C2002</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">MgCl2</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Biosesang</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">M2001</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">Mannitol</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">M4125</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="34">
			<td height="34" style="height:34px;width:315px;">MgSO4</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">M5921</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">Sodium Pyruvate</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">P2256</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">Taurine</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Merck</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">8.08616.1000</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">Na2HPO4&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">71649</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">Bovine Fetal Albumin</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">A7906</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">Collagenase Type 2</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Worthington</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">LS004177</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">Protease</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">P6911</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">Fura-2 (AM)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Molecular Probes</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">F1221</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">Pluronic F127 20% solution in DMSO</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Invitrogen</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">P3000MP</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">Shaking Water Bath</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Chang Shin Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Model: C-108</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="61">
			<td height="61" style="height:61px;width:315px;">IonWizard Softwae Suite</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">IonOptix Ltd</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Experimental Builder</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Acquisition and Analysis of EC Coupling Data in Myocytes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="43">
			<td height="43" style="height:43px;width:315px;">Myocyte Calcium &#38; Contractility Recording System</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">IonOptix Ltd</td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:315px;">Circulating Water Bath</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">BS-Tech</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">BW2-8</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="37">
			<td height="37" style="height:37px;width:315px;">Myocyte Fluorescence Microscope</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Nikon</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">DIATPHOTO 200</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:315px;">MyoCam-S Power</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">IonOptix</td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="36">
			<td height="119" rowspan="3" style="height:119px;width:315px;">Fluorescence &#38; Video Detection</td>
			<td rowspan="3" style="width:131px;">IonOptix</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">MyoCam-S</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="48">
			<td height="48" style="height:48px;width:125px;">CFA300</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:125px;">PMT400</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="71">
			<td height="71" style="height:71px;width:315px;">Fluorescence &#38; System Interface</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">IonOptix</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">FSI700</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="71">
			<td height="71" style="height:71px;width:315px;">Excitation Light Source</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">IonOptix</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">mSTEP</td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="71">
			<td height="71" style="height:71px;width:315px;">High intensity ARC Lamp Power supply</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Cairn Reseach</td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="71">
			<td height="71" style="height:71px;width:315px;">Filter wheel controller</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">IonOptix</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">GB/MUS200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="71">
			<td height="71" style="height:71px;">Digital Stimulator</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Medical Systems Corportion</td>
			<td>S-98 Mutimode</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Compositions of Experimental Solutions</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:315px;">Name</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="45">
			<td height="45" style="height:45px;width:315px;">Isolation Solution (pH: 7.4, NaOH)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;"></td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">NaCl</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">S9625</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 135</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">KCl</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">P4504</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 5.4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">HEPES</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">H3375</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Glucose</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">G8270</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">MgCl2</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Biosesang</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">M2001</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 3.5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Taurine</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">CB2742654</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 20</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Na2HPO4&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">71649</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 0.4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:315px;">Storage Solution (pH: 7.4, NaOH)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;"></td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">NaCl</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">S9625</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 120</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">KCl</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">P4504</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 5.4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">HEPES</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">H3375</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 10</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Glucose</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">G8270</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 5.5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">CaCl2</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Biosesang</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">C2002</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 0.2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Mannitol</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">M4125</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 29</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">MgSO4</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">M5921</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Sodium Pyruvate</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">P2256</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Taurine</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">CB2742654</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 20</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="53">
			<td height="53" style="height:53px;width:315px;">Perfusion Solution (Tyrode solution, pH: 7.4, NaOH)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;"></td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">NaCl</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">S9625</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 141.4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">KCl</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">P4504</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">NaH2PO4</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">S8282</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 0.33</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">HEPES</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">H3375</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 10</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Glucose</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">G8270</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 5.5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="34">
			<td height="34" style="height:34px;width:315px;">CaCl2</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Biosesang</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">C2002</td>
			<td>Concentration (mmol) 1.8&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; For Fura 2AM loading, CaCl2 concentrations are 0.25 mM and 0.5 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">MgCl2</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Biosesang</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">M2001</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Mannitol</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">M4125</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 14.5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:315px;">Collangenase Solution 1</td>
			<td style="width:131px;"></td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:315px;">Isolation Solution (30mL)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;"></td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Bovine Fetal Albumin (BSA solution 5 ml)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;"></td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 1.67 mg/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Collagenase Type 2</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Worthington</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">LS004177</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 1 mg/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Protease</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">P6911</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 0.1 mg/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">CaCl2</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Biosesang</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">C2002</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 0.05 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:315px;">Collangenase Solution 2</td>
			<td style="width:131px;"></td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:315px;">Isolation Solution (20mL)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;"></td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Bovine Fetal Albumin (BSA solution 3.3 mL)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;"></td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 1.67 mg/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Collagenase Type 2</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Worthington</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">LS004177</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 1 mg/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">CaCl2</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Biosesang</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">C2002</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 0.05 mM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:315px;">BSA solution</td>
			<td style="width:131px;"></td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:315px;">Isolation Solution (40mL)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;"></td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:565px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">Bovine Fetal Albumin</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">A7906</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 400 mg</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="35">
			<td height="35" style="height:35px;width:315px;">CaCl2</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Biosesang</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">C2002</td>
			<td style="width:565px;">Concentration (mmol) 1mM</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

assessment of myofilament ca2+ sensitivity underlying cardiac excitation-contraction coupling

Heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. However, the mechanism of pathogenesis and myocardial malfunction in the diseased heart remains to be fully clarified. Recent compelling evidence demonstrates that changes in the myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity affect intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and ion channel activities in cardiac myocytes, the essential mechanisms responsible for the cardiac action potential and contraction in healthy and diseased hearts. Indeed, activities of ion channels and transporters underlying cardiac action potentials (e.g., Na+, Ca2+ and K+ channels and the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger) and intracellular Ca2+ handling proteins (e.g., ryanodine receptors and Ca2+-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SERCA2a) or phospholamban and its phosphorylation) are conventionally measured to evaluate the fundamental mechanisms of cardiac excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. Both electrical activities in the membrane and intracellular Ca2+ changes are the trigger signals of E-C coupling, whereas myofilament is the functional unit of contraction and relaxation, and myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity is imperative in the implementation of myofibril performance. Nevertheless, few studies incorporate myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity into the functional analysis of the myocardium unless it is the focus of the study. Here, we describe a protocol that measures sarcomere shortening/re-lengthening and the intracellular Ca2+ level using Fura-2 AM (ratiometric detection) and evaluate the changes of myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in cardiac myocytes from rat hearts. The main aim is to emphasize that myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity should be taken into consideration in E-C coupling for mechanistic analysis. Comprehensive investigation of ion channels, ion transporters, intracellular Ca2+ handling, and myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity that underlie myocyte contractility in healthy and diseased hearts will provide valuable information for designing more effective strategies of translational and therapeutic value.

LV myocytes are isolated from normal and hypertensive rat hearts. Rod-shaped myocytes with clear striations (representing sarcomeres) and stable contractions in response to field stimulation are considered to be the optimal myocytes and are selected for recordings (Figure 2A). In the example shown in Figure 2A, a Fura 2 AM -loaded LV myocyte is positioned horizontally and the aperture of the camera is adjusted so that the myocyte occupies most of the reco...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Assessment of Myofilament Ca2+ Sensitivity Underlying Cardiac Excitation-contraction Coupling at JoVE.com

Assessment of Myofilament Ca2+ Sensitivity Underlying Cardiac Excitation-contraction Coupling

This paper describes a protocol that assesses the changes of myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity during contraction in isolated cardiac myocytes from rat heart. Together with cardiac electrophysiology, systolic/diastolic cytosol Ca2+ levels and contraction/relaxation, this measurement is imperative in underpinning the mechanisms mediating cardiac excitation-contraction coupling in healthy and diseased hearts.

Assessment of Myofilament Ca2+ Sensitivity Underlying Cardiac Excitation-contraction Coupling

Heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. However, the mechanism of pathogenesis and myocardial ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to access the myofilament calcium sensitivity in order to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the contraction in healthy and diseased hearts. This method can help answer to questions related to heart congestion and heart failure. The main advantage of this technique is that together with ions channels, ion transporters and inter-cellular calcium handling it provides a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism that underlies mouse heart contractility in healthy and disease of the heart.To begin this procedure, heat two water baths to 37 degrees Celsius. Add five milliliters of calcium free BSA solution to 25 milliliters of collagenase solution one and 3.3 milliliters of calcium free BSA solution to 16.7 milliliters of collagenase solution two. Then, add 100 milliliters of isolation solution to column one and 30 milliliters of collagenase solution one to column two in the Langendorff perfusion system.Oxygenate the isolation solution and collagenase solution one in column one and column two via the oxygen connection tube in the Langendorff perfusion system. Similarly, oxygenate collagenase solution two and the BSA solution in the shaking water bath with 100%oxygen via the oxygen connection tube. In this step, after anesthetizing an SD rat via inter-peritoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium, confirm the anesthetic status by toe pinching and the absence of withdrawal reflex.Afterward, transfer the rat to a dissection tray. In the supine position, secure four legs to the sides of the body with tape. Then, clamp the aorta with fine forceps and immediately mount the cannula of the Langendorff perfusion system.After that, tie the suture thread tightly over the aorta. Turn on the valve on column one and perfuse the isolated heart with pre-warmed, oxygenated isolation solution for 10 minutes. Subsequently, turn on the valve on column two and perfuse the heart with collagenase solution one for eight to 10 minutes.Afterward, remove the digested heart by cutting the aorta and transfer it to the flask containing fresh isolation solution. Using fine scissors and forceps, cut most of the LV free wall, including the septum, into smaller pieces. Next, transfer the tissues into a flask containing pre-warmed and oxygenated, fresh collagenase solution two.Then, shake them for 10 minutes and keep the myocyte containing collagenase solution two oxygenated. Subsequently, transfer the myocyte suspension to a 10 milliliter centrifuge tube and add calcium containing BSA solution. Centrifuge it for two minutes.After two minutes, discard the supernatant and re-suspend the myocyte pellet in five milliliters of BSA solution. Then, centrifuge and discard the supernatant again. Next disperse the myocyte pellet and keep the myocytes in 10 milliliters of pre-oxygenated storage solution at room temperature until the end of the experiment.Now, load LV myocytes with two micro-molar acetoxymethyl ester Fura-2AM. Centrifuge one milliliter of myocyte suspension for 10 seconds. Then, discard the supernatant and re-suspend the myocyte pellet in one milliliter of Tyrode solution with a low calcium concentration.Subsequently, add Fura-2AM and two microliters of poloxamer 407 to the myocytes. Gently disperse the myocyte suspension and keep the mixture at room temperature for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, centrifuge the mixture for five seconds.Discard the supernatant and disperse the myocyte pellet in one milliliter of perfusion solution containing 500 micro-molar calcium. After 10 minutes, centrifuge the mixture for five seconds and discard the supernatant. Next, add fresh perfusion solution and keep the Fura-2AM loaded myocyte pellet in this solution for recordings.Before recording, fill the perfusion tube that runs through a water jacket with the 36 degree Celsius Tyrode solution. Subsequently, place a few drops of the Fura-2AM loaded LV myocyte suspension on the chamber of an inverted florescence microscope and wait for five to eight minutes. Slowly perfuse it with the Tyrode solution at 2.2 milliliters per minute.Then, press the start button on the front panel of the digital stimulator to start field stimulation at two hertz. Select the myocytes that contract stably for recording. Shown here are the raw traces of sarcomere shortening and Fura-2 ratio measurement in LV myocytes from sham and hypertensive rats.Here are the average traces of the sarcomere length and the Fura-2 signals. And here are the phase plane plots of the Fura-2 ratio versus sarcomere length in the two groups. The trajectory loop is shifted to the right and EC50 tends to be higher in hypertension, suggesting myofilament calcium desensitization.Prior attempting this procedure, it's important to remember to test the cortium, the isolated myocytes, by detecting myocyte contraction without Fura-2AM loading. In addition, always check myocyte contraction after Fura-2AM loading to avoid overload. Following this procedure, other methods like patch clamp techniques can be performed in order to answer additional questions.For example, A type ca channel activity, that is, in verb, the myocyte excitation-contraction coupling. After its development, this technique have paved the way for researchers in the future of cardiac physiology to explore more insights into heart diseases in humans. After routine experience, you should have a good understanding of how to analyze the myofilament calcium channel activity.In order to better understand the mechanisms mediating cardiac excitation-contraction coupling in healthy and diseased hearts.

assessment-myofilament-ca2-sensitivity-underlying-cardiac-excitation

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

9.3K Views.  Seoul National University College of Medicine. The overall goal of this procedure is to access the myofilament calcium sensitivity in order to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the contraction in healthy and diseased hearts. This method can help answer to questions related to heart congestion and heart failure. The main advantage of this technique is that together with ions channels, ion transporters and inter-cellular calcium handling it provides a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism that underlies mouse ...