硫化氢对离体豚鼠乳头状肌的电生理效应

应用细胞内微电极技术,观察硫化氢（hydrogen sulfide,H2S）对离体豚鼠乳头状肌细胞的电生理效应。结果表明：（1）NaHS （H,S的供体,50、100、200μmol/L）可浓度依赖地缩短正常乳头状肌的动作电位时程。（2）对部分去极化乳头状肌,NaHS （100μmol／L）除缩短动作电位时程外,还降低动作电位幅值和超射值,减慢零相最大上升速度。（3）预先应用ATP敏感性钾（ATP- sensitive K＋,KATP）通道阻断剂格列苯脲（glibenclamide,Gli,20μmol／L）,可部分阻断NaHS（100μmol／L）的电生理效应。（4）预先应用L型钙通道开放剂Bay K8644（0．5μmol／L）,可部分阻断NaHS（100μmol／L）的电生理效应。（5）预先应用含Gli（20μmol／L）的无钙Krebs-Henseleit液灌流标本,可完全阻断NaHS（100μmol／L）的电生理效应。（6）DL-propargylglycine（PPG,一种胱硫醚-γ-裂解酶的不可逆抑制剂,200μmol／L）可延长正常乳头状肌的动作电位时程。以上结果提示,H,S可能通过兴奋KATP通道促进K＋外流,同时抑制Ca2＋内流,进而影响豚鼠乳头状肌电生理效应。乳头状肌中内源性H2S可能发挥重要的电生理作用。     

Moderate calcium channel dysfunction in adult mice with inducible cardiomyocyte-specific excision of the cacnb2 gene

The major L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in heart consist of an α1C (Ca(V)1.2) subunit usually associated with an auxiliary β subunit (Ca(V)β2). In embryonic cardiomyocytes, both the complete and the cardiac myocyte-specific null mutant of Ca(V)β2 resulted in reduction of L-type calcium currents by up to 75%, compromising heart function and causing defective remodeling of intra- and extra-embryonic blood vessels followed by embryonic death. Here we conditionally excised the Ca(V)β2 gene (cacnb2) specifically in cardiac myocytes of adult mice (KO). Upon gene deletion, Ca(V)β2 protein expression declined by >96% in isolated cardiac myocytes and by >74% in protein fractions from heart. These latter protein fractions include Ca(V)β2 proteins expressed in cardiac fibroblasts. Surprisingly, mice did not show any obvious impairment, although cacnb2 excision was not compensated by expression of other Ca(V)β proteins or changes of Ca(V)1.2 protein levels. Calcium currents were still dihydropyridine-sensitive, but current density at 0 mV was reduced by <29%. The voltage for half-maximal activation was slightly shifted to more depolarized potentials in KO cardiomyocytes when compared with control cells, but the difference was not significant. In summary, Ca(V)β2 appears to be a much stronger modulator of L-type calcium currents in embryonic than in adult cardiomyocytes. Although essential for embryonic survival, Ca(V)β2 down-regulation in cardiomyocytes is well tolerated by the adult mice.     

Hydrogen sulfide is a partially redox-independent activator of the human jejunum Na+ channel, Nav1.5

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is produced endogenously by L-cysteine metabolism. H(2)S modulates several ion channels with an unclear mechanism of action. A possible mechanism is through reduction-oxidation reactions attributable to the redox potential of the sulfur moiety. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of the H(2)S donor NaHS on Na(V)1.5, a voltage-dependent sodium channel expressed in the gastrointestinal tract in human jejunum smooth muscle cells and interstitial cells of Cajal, and to elucidate whether H(2)S acts on Na(V)1.5 by redox reactions. Whole cell Na(+) currents were recorded in freshly dissociated human jejunum circular myocytes and Na(V)1.5-transfected human embryonic kidney-293 cells. RT-PCR amplified mRNA for H(2)S enzymes cystathionine β-synthase and cystathionine γ-lyase from the human jejunum. NaHS increased native Na(+) peak currents and shifted the half-point (V(1/2)) of steady-state activation and inactivation by +21 ± 2 mV and +15 ± 3 mV, respectively. Similar effects were seen on the heterologously expressed Na(V)1.5 α subunit with EC(50)s in the 10(-4) to 10(-3) M range. The reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) mimicked in part the effects of NaHS by increasing peak current and positively shifting steady-state activation. DTT together with NaHS had an additive effect on steady-state activation but not on peak current, suggesting that the latter may be altered via reduction. Pretreatment with the Hg(2+)-conjugated oxidizer thimerosal or the alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide inhibited or decreased NaHS induction of Na(V)1.5 peak current. These studies show that H(2)S activates the gastrointestinal Na(+) channel, and the mechanism of action of H(2)S is partially redox independent.     

Hydrogen Sulfide Suppresses Outward Rectifier Potassium Currents in Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes

Aim

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a promising cardioprotective agent and a potential modulator of cardiac ion currents. Yet its cardiac effects on humans are poorly understood due to lack of functional cardiomyocytes. This study investigates electrophysiological responses of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) derived cardiomyocytes towards H₂S.

Methods and Results

Cardiomyocytes of ventricular, atrial and nodal subtypes differentiated from H9 embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) were electrophysiologically characterized. The effect of NaHS, a donor of H₂S, on action potential (AP), outward rectifier potassium currents (I _Ks and I _Kr), L-type Ca²⁺ currents (I _CaL) and hyperpolarization-activated inward current (I _f) were determined by patch-clamp electrophysiology and confocal calcium imaging. In a concentration-dependent manner, NaHS (100 to 300 µM) consistently altered the action potential properties including prolonging action potential duration (APD) and slowing down contracting rates of ventricular-and atrial-like cardiomyocytes derived from both hESCs and hiPSCs. Moreover, inhibitions of slow and rapid I _K (I _Ks and I _Kr), I _CaL and I _f were found in NaHS treated cardiomyocytes and it could collectively contribute to the remodeling of AP properties.

Conclusions

This is the first demonstration of effects of H₂S on cardiac electrophysiology of human ventricular-like, atrial-like and nodal-like cardiomyocytes. It reaffirmed the inhibitory effect of H₂S on I _CaL and revealed additional novel inhibitory effects on I _f, I _Ks and I _Kr currents in human cardiomyocytes.     

Dihydropyridine binding to the L-type Ca2+ channel in rabbit heart sarcolemma and skeletal muscle transverse-tubules: role of disulfide, sulfhydryl and phosphate groups

The dihydropyridine receptor is associated with the L-type Ca2+ channel in the cell membrane. In this study we have examined the effects of group-specific modification on dihydropyridine binding in heart sarcolemmal membranes isolated from the rabbit. Specifically, dithiothreitol and glutathione were employed to assess the possible role of disulfide (-SS-) bonds in the binding of [3H]dihydropyridines. NEM, PCMS and iodoacetamide were employed to examine the effect of blocking free sulfhydryl groups (-SH) on the binding of [3H]dihydropyridines to their receptor in heart sarcolemma. Glutathione inhibited [3H]PN200-110 binding to sarcolemmal membranes 100%, with an IC50 value of 50 microM, while DTT inhibited maximally by 75% with an IC50 value in the millimolar range. Alkylation of free sulfhydryl groups by NEM or iodoacetamide inhibited binding of [3H]PN200-110 binding in cardiac sarcolemma approx. 40-60%. Blocking of free sulfhydryl groups by PCMS completely inhibited [3H]PN200-110 binding to their receptor in sarcolemmal membranes in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 20 microM. These results suggest the involvement of disulfide bonds and free sulfhydryl groups in DHP binding to the L-type Ca2+ channel in heart muscle. We also examined the effect of membrane phosphorylation on the specific binding of the dihydropyridine [3H]nitrendipine to its receptor. Phosphorylation was studied in cardiac sarcolemmal as well as skeletal muscle transverse-tubule membranes. Phosphorylation due to endogenous protein kinase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase was without effect on [3H]nitrendipine binding in both cardiac sarcolemmal and skeletal muscle membranes. Addition of exogenous calmodulin under conditions known to promote Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation increased [3H]nitrendipine binding 20% with no alteration in KD in both types of membrane preparation. These results suggest a role for calmodylin in dihydropyridine binding to L-type Ca2+ channels.     

N-n-Butyl haloperidol iodide inhibits the augmented Na+/Ca2+ exchanger currents and L-type Ca2+ current induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation or H2O2 in cardiomyocytes

N-n-butyl haloperidol iodide (F(2)), a novel quaternary ammonium salt derivative of haloperidol, was reported to antagonize myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injuries. To investigate its mechanisms, we characterized the effects of F(2) on Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger currents (I(NCX)) and the L-type Ca(2+) channel current (I(Ca,L)) of cardiomyocytes during either hypoxia/reoxygenation or exposure to H(2)O(2). Using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques, the I(NCX) and I(Ca,L) were recorded from isolated rat ventricular myocytes. Exposure of cardiomyocytes to hypoxia/reoxygenation or H(2)O(2) enhanced the amplitude of the inward and outward of I(NCX) and I(Ca,L). F(2) especially inhibited the outward current of Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger, as well as the I(Ca,L), in a concentration-dependent manner. F(2) inhibits cardiomyocyte I(NCX) and I(Ca,L) after exposure to hypoxia/reoxygenation or H(2)O(2) to antagonize myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting Ca(2+) overload.     

Exogenous hydrogen sulfide attenuates diabetic myocardial injury through cardiac mitochondrial protection

In the study, we investigated how exogenous H₂S (hydrogen sulfide) influenced streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic myocardial injury through cardiac mitochondrial protection and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in intact rat hearts and primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Diabetes was induced by STZ (50?mg/kg) and the daily administration of 100?μM NaHS (sodium hydrosulfide, an H₂S donor) in the diabetes?+?NaHS treatment group. At the end of 4, 8, and 12?weeks, the morphological alterations and functions of the hearts were observed using transmission electron microscopy and echocardiography system. The percentage of apoptotic cardiomyocytes, the mitochondrial membrane potential, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the level of NO were measured. The expressions of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), caspase-3 and -9, the mitochondrial NOX4 and cytochrome c were analyzed by western blotting. The results showed the cardiac function injured, morphological changes and the apoptotic rate increased in the diabetic rat hearts. In the primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes of high glucose group, ROS production was increased markedly, whereas the expression of CSE and the level of NO was decreased. However, treatment with NaHS significantly reversed the diabetic rat hearts function, the morphological changes and decreased the levels of ROS and NO in the primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes administrated with high glucose group. Furthermore, NaHS down-regulated the expression of mitochondrial NOX4 and caspase-3 and -9 and inhibited the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria in the primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, H₂S is involved in the attenuation of diabetic myocardial injury through the protection of cardiac mitochondria.     

Regulation of cloned cardiac L-type calcium channels by cGMP-dependent protein kinase

We have studied the effect of 8-bromo-cyclic GMP (8-Br-cGMP) on cloned cardiac L-type calcium channel currents to determine the site and mechanism of action underlying the functional effect. Rabbit cardiac alpha(1C) subunit, in the presence or absence of beta(1) subunit (rabbit skeletal muscle) or beta(2) subunit (rat cardiac/brain), was expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings were made 2 or 3 days later. Application of 8-Br-cGMP caused decreases in calcium channel currents in cells expressing the alpha(1C) subunit, whether or not a beta subunit was co-expressed. No inhibition of currents by 8-Br-cGMP was observed in the presence of the protein kinase G inhibitor KT5823. Substitutions of serine residues by alanine were made at residues Ser(533) and Ser(1371) on the alpha(1C) subunit. As for wild type, the mutant S1371A exhibited inhibition of calcium channel currents by 8-Br-cGMP, whereas no effect of 8-Br-cGMP was observed for mutant S533A. Inhibition of calcium currents by 8-Br-cGMP was also observed in the additional presence of the alpha(2)delta subunit for wild type channels but not for the mutant S533A. These results indicate that cGMP causes inhibition of L-type calcium channel currents by phosphorylation of the alpha(1C) subunit at position Ser(533) via the action of protein kinase G.     

Angiotensin II-induced increase of T-type Ca2+ current and decrease of L-type Ca2+ current in heart cells

The effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) on the T- and L-type calcium currents (I(Ca)) in single ventricular heart cells of 18-week-old fetal human and 10-day-old chick embryos was studied using the whole-cell voltage clamp technique. Our results showed that in both, human and chick cardiomyocytes, Ang II (10(-7)M) increased the T-type calcium current and decreased the L-type I(Ca). The effect of Ang II on both types of currents was blocked by the AT1 peptidic antagonist, [Sar1, Ala8] Ang II (2 x 10(-7)M). Protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, mimicked the effect of Ang II on the T- and L-type calcium currents. These results demonstrate that in fetal human and chick embryo cardiomyocytes Ang II affects the T- and L-type Ca2+ currents differently, and this effect seems to be mediated by the PKC pathway.     

Hydrogen sulfide contributes to cardioprotection during ischemia-reperfusion injury by opening K ATP channels

The present study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of H2S against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and its possible mechanism by using isolated heart perfusion and patch clamp recordings. Rat isolated hearts were Langendorff-perfused and subjected to a 30-minute ischemia insult followed by a 30-minute reperfusion. The heart function was assessed by measuring the LVDP, +/-dP/dt max, and the arrhythmia score. The results showed that the treatment of hearts with a H2S donor (40 micromol/L NaHS) during reperfusion resulted in significant improvement in heart function compared with the I/R group (LVDP recovered to 85.0% +/- 6.4% vs. 35.0% +/- 6.1%, +dP/dt max recovered to 80.9% +/- 4.2% vs. 43.0% +/- 6.4%, and -dP/dt max recovered to 87.4% +/- 7.3% vs. 53.8% +/- 4.9%; p < 0.01). The arrhythmia scores also improved in the NaHS group compared with the I/R group (1.5 +/- 0.2 vs. 4.0 +/- 0.4, respectively; p < 0.001). The cardioprotective effect of NaHS during reperfusion could be blocked by an ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K ATP) blocker (10 micromol/L glibenclamide). In single cardiac myocytes, NaHS increased the open probability of K ATP channels from 0.07 +/- 0.03 to 0.15 +/- 0.08 after application of 40 mumol/L NaHS and from 0.07 +/- 0.03 to 0.36 +/- 0.15 after application of 100 mumol/L NaHS. These findings provide the first evidence that H2S increases the open probability of K ATP in cardiac myocytes, which may be responsible for cardioprotection against I/R injury during reperfusion.     

Targeting of protein phosphatases PP2A and PP2B to the C-terminus of the L-type calcium channel Ca v1.2

The L-type Ca(2+) channel Ca(v)1.2 forms macromolecular signaling complexes that comprise the β(2) adrenergic receptor, trimeric G(s) protein, adenylyl cyclase, and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) for efficient signaling in heart and brain. The protein phosphatases PP2A and PP2B are part of this complex. PP2A counteracts increase in Ca(v)1.2 channel activity by PKA and other protein kinases, whereas PP2B can either augment or decrease Ca(v)1.2 currents in cardiomyocytes depending on the precise experimental conditions. We found that PP2A binds to two regions in the C-terminus of the central, pore-forming α(1) subunit of Ca(v)1.2: one region spans residues 1795-1818 and the other residues 1965-1971. PP2B binds immediately downstream of residue 1971. Injection of a peptide that contained residues 1965-1971 and displaced PP2A but not PP2B from endogenous Ca(v)1.2 increased basal and isoproterenol-stimulated L-type Ca(2+) currents in acutely isolated cardiomyocytes. Together with our biochemical data, these physiological results indicate that anchoring of PP2A at this site of Ca(v)1.2 in the heart negatively regulates cardiac L-type currents, likely by counterbalancing basal and stimulated phosphorylation that is mediated by PKA and possibly other kinases.     

RhoA GTPase regulates L-type Ca2+ currents in cardiac myocytes

Regulation of ionic channels plays a pivotal role in controlling cardiac function. Here we show that the Rho family of small G proteins regulates L-type Ca2+ currents in ventricular cardiomyocytes. Ventricular myocytes isolated from transgenic (TG) mice that overexpress the specific GDP dissociation inhibitor Rho GDI-alpha exhibited significantly decreased basal L-type Ca2+ current density (approximately 40%) compared with myocytes from nontransgenic (NTG) mice. The Ca2+ channel agonist BAY K 8644 and the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol increased Ca2+ currents in both NTG and TG myocytes to a similar maximal level, and no changes in mRNA or protein levels were observed in the Ca2+ channel alpha1-subunits. These results suggest that the channel activity but not the expression level was altered in TG myocytes. In addition, the densities of inward rectifier and transient outward K+ currents were unchanged in TG myocytes. The amplitudes and rates of basal twitches and Ca2+ transients were also similar between the two groups. When the protein was delivered directly into adult ventricular myocytes via TAT-mediated protein transduction, Rho GDI-alpha significantly decreased Ca2+ current density, which supports the idea that the defective Ca2+ channel activity in TG myocytes was a primary effect of the transgene. In addition, expression of a dominant-negative RhoA but not a dominant-negative Rac-1 or Cdc42 also significantly decreased Ca2+ current density, which indicates that inhibition of Ca2+ channel activity by overexpression of Rho GDI-alpha is mediated by inhibition of RhoA. This study points to the L-type Ca2+ channel activity as a novel downstream target of the RhoA signaling pathway.     

H2S preconditioning-induced PKC activation regulates intracellular calcium handling in rat cardiomyocytes

The present study was aimed to investigate the regulatory effect of protein kinase C (PKC) on intracellular Ca(2+) handling in hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S)-preconditioned cardiomyocytes and its consequent effects on ischemia challenge. Immunoblot analysis was used to assess PKC isoform translocation in the rat cardiomyocytes 20 h after NaHS (an H(2)S donor, 10(-4) M) preconditioning (SP, 30 min). Intracellular Ca(2+) was measured with a spectrofluorometric method using fura-2 ratio as an indicator. Cell length was compared before and after ischemia-reperfusion insults to indicate the extent of hypercontracture. SP motivated translocation of PKCalpha, PKCepsilon, and PKCdelta to membrane fraction but only translocation of PKCepsilon and PKCdelta was abolished by an ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker glibenclamide. It was also found that SP significantly accelerated the decay of both electrically and caffeine-induced intracellular [Ca(2+)] transients, which were reversed by a selective PKC inhibitor chelerythrine. These data suggest that SP facilitated Ca(2+) removal via both accelerating uptake of Ca(2+) into sarcoplasmic reticulum and enhancing Ca(2+) extrusion through Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger in a PKC-dependent manner. Furthermore, blockade of PKC also attenuated the protective effects of SP against Ca(2+) overload during ischemia and against myocyte hypercontracture at the onset of reperfusion. We demonstrate for the first time that SP activates PKCalpha, PKCepsilon, and PKCdelta in cardiomyocytes via different signaling mechanisms. Such PKC activation, in turn, protects the heart against ischemia-reperfusion insults at least partly by ameliorating intracellular Ca(2+) handling.     

L-type calcium channel β subunit modulates angiotensin II responses in cardiomyocytes

Angiotensin II regulation of L-type calcium currents in cardiac muscle is controversial and the underlying signaling events are not completely understood. Moreover, the possible role of auxiliary subunit composition of the channels in Angiotensin II modulation of L-type calcium channels has not yet been explored. In this work we study the role of Ca(v)β subunits and the intracellular signaling responsible for L-type calcium current modulation by Angiotensin II. In cardiomyocytes, Angiotensin II exposure induces rapid inhibition of L-type current with a magnitude that is correlated with the rate of current inactivation. Semi-quantitative PCR of cardiomyocytes at different days of culture reveals changes in the Ca(v)β subunits expression pattern that are correlated with the rate of current inactivation and with Angiotensin II effect. Over-expression of individual b subunits in heterologous systems reveals that the magnitude of Angiotensin II inhibition is dependent on the Ca(v)β subunit isoform, with Ca(v)β(1b) containing channels being more strongly regulated. Ca(v)β(2a) containing channels were insensitive to modulation and this effect was partially due to the N-terminal palmitoylation sites of this subunit. Moreover, PLC or diacylglycerol lipase inhibition prevents the Angiotensin II effect on L-type calcium channels, while PKC inhibition with chelerythrine does not, suggesting a role of arachidonic acid in this process. Finally, we show that in intact cardiomyocytes the magnitude of calcium transients on spontaneous beating cells is modulated by Angiotensin II in a Ca(v)β subunit-dependent manner. These data demonstrate that Ca(v)β subunits alter the magnitude of inhibition of L-type current by Angiotensin II.     

Regulation of L-type calcium channels in pituitary GH(4)C(1) cells by depolarization.

The neurosecretory anterior pituitary GH(4)C(1) cells exhibit the high voltage-activated dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type and the low voltage-activated T-type calcium currents. The activity of L-type calcium channels is tightly coupled to secretion of prolactin and other hormones in these cells. Depolarization induced by elevated extracellular K(+) reduces the dihydropyridine (+)-[(3)H]PN200-110 binding site density and (45)Ca(2+) uptake in these cells (). This study presents a functional analysis by electrophysiological techniques of short term regulation of L-type Ca(2+) channels in GH(4)C(1) cells by membrane depolarization. Depolarization of GH(4)C(1) cells by 50 mm K(+) rapidly reduced the barium currents through L-type calcium channels by approximately 70% and shifted the voltage dependence of activation by 10 mV to more depolarized potentials. Down-regulation depended on the strength of the depolarizing stimuli and was reversible. The currents recovered to near control levels on repolarization. Down-regulation of the calcium channel currents was calcium-dependent but may not have been due to excessive accumulation of intracellular calcium. Membrane depolarization by voltage clamping and by veratridine also produced a down-regulation of calcium channel currents. The down-regulation of the currents had an autocrine component. This study reveals a calcium-dependent down-regulation of the L-type calcium channel currents by depolarization.     

Calcium-induced calcium release in smooth muscle: loose coupling between the action potential and calcium release

Calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) has been observed in cardiac myocytes as elementary calcium release events (calcium sparks) associated with the opening of L-type Ca(2+) channels. In heart cells, a tight coupling between the gating of single L-type Ca(2+) channels and ryanodine receptors (RYRs) underlies calcium release. Here we demonstrate that L-type Ca(2+) channels activate RYRs to produce CICR in smooth muscle cells in the form of Ca(2+) sparks and propagated Ca(2+) waves. However, unlike CICR in cardiac muscle, RYR channel opening is not tightly linked to the gating of L-type Ca(2+) channels. L-type Ca(2+) channels can open without triggering Ca(2+) sparks and triggered Ca(2+) sparks are often observed after channel closure. CICR is a function of the net flux of Ca(2+) ions into the cytosol, rather than the single channel amplitude of L-type Ca(2+) channels. Moreover, unlike CICR in striated muscle, calcium release is completely eliminated by cytosolic calcium buffering. Thus, L-type Ca(2+) channels are loosely coupled to RYR through an increase in global [Ca(2+)] due to an increase in the effective distance between L-type Ca(2+) channels and RYR, resulting in an uncoupling of the obligate relationship that exists in striated muscle between the action potential and calcium release.     

Inhibitory actions of the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor citalopram on HERG and ventricular L-type calcium currents

Using whole-cell patch clamp recording of heterologous HERG-mediated currents in transfected mammalian cells, we observed that the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor citalopram blocks HERG with an IC(50) of 3.97 microM. This is slightly less potent than fluoxetine in our system (IC(50) of 1.50 microM). In isolated guinea pig ventricular cardiomyocytes citalopram inhibited L-type calcium current (I(Ca,L)). The voltage dependence of I(Ca,L) inactivation in the presence of 100 microM citalopram was shifted significantly leftward. As a result, the I(Ca,L) 'window' in citalopram was found to be (a) smaller and (b) leftward-shifted compared to control. The effects of citalopram on both calcium current amplitude and the I(Ca,L) 'window' may help to explain citalopram's good cardiac safety profile, given its propensity to block HERG at excessive dosages.