Forefront of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger studies: stoichiometry of cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchanger; 3:1 or 4:1?

J Pharmacol Sci. 2004 Sep;96(1):15-8. doi: 10.1254/jphs.fmj04002x3. Epub 2004 Sep 10.

Abstract

The stoichiometry of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) had been generally accepted as 3 Na+:1 Ca2+. However, recently a challenging stoichiometry of 4:1 was proposed. Therefore, using guinea pig ventricular cells, we re-examined the stoichiometry by measuring the reversal potential of the NCX current and intracellular Ca2+ concentrations under the whole-cell voltage clamp. We confirmed that the stoichiometry of NCX is 3:1 not 4:1. In addition, we explored the possible reasons for obtaining erroneous results of a 4:1 stoichiometry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Sodium-Calcium Exchanger / metabolism*

Substances

  • Sodium-Calcium Exchanger
  • Calcium