The effect of thapsigargin on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content and contractions of single myocytes of rat ventricular myocardium.

The effect of Thapsigargin (TG) shown to block selectively the Ca(2+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) on the SR Ca2+ content and contractions of single rat cadiomyocytes was investigated. In 80% of cells 10(-6) M TG blocked Ca2+ uptake by SR at rest, depleted the SR Ca2+, inhibited postrest potentiation and changed the pattern of response to premature contractions. Amplitude of steady state contractions was reduced to 11 +/- 4% of pre-TG control. In 20% of cells TG had similar effect on the SR function, however, amplitude of contractions was reduced to only 50 +/- 7% of control. It is concluded that the results obtained in 80% of the cells are compatible with the wide-spread notion that contractions of rat cardiac myocytes are activated predominantly by Ca2+ released from SR. However, population of myocytes of ventricular myocardium of this species is not homogeneous in this respect. In 20% of them contractions are activated by both sarcolemmal and SR Ca2+ contribution being approximately equal. These cells occupy intermediate position between guinea-pig cells and the bulk of rat cells.