Kir2.1 dysfunction at the sarcolemma and the sarcoplasmic reticulum causes arrhythmias in a mouse model of Andersen-Tawil syndrome type 1

Abstract

Andersen-Tawil syndrome type 1 (ATS1) is associated with life-threatening arrhythmias of unknown mechanism. In this study, we generated and characterized a mouse model of ATS1 carrying the trafficking-deficient mutant Kir2.1^Δ314-315 channel. The mutant mouse recapitulates the electrophysiological phenotype of ATS1, with QT prolongation exacerbated by flecainide or isoproterenol, drug-induced QRS prolongation, increased vulnerability to reentrant arrhythmias and multifocal discharges resembling catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). Kir2.1^Δ314-315 cardiomyocytes display significantly reduced inward rectifier K⁺ and Na⁺ currents, depolarized resting membrane potential and prolonged action potentials. We show that, in wild-type mouse cardiomyocytes and skeletal muscle cells, Kir2.1 channels localize to sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) microdomains, contributing to intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis. Kir2.1^Δ314-315 cardiomyocytes exhibit defective SR Kir2.1 localization and function, as intact and permeabilized Kir2.1^Δ314-315 cardiomyocytes display abnormal spontaneous Ca²⁺ release events. Overall, defective Kir2.1 channel function at the sarcolemma and the SR explain the life-threatening arrhythmias in ATS1 and its overlap with CPVT.