Specialized impulse conduction pathway in the alligator heart

0490367 - FGÚ 2019 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Jensen, B. - Boukens, B. J. - Crossley, D. A. - Conner, J. - Mohan, R. A. - van Duijvenboden, K. - Postma, A. V. - Gloschat, Ch. R. - Elsey, R. M. - Sedmera, David - Efimov, I. R. - Christoffels, V. M.
Specialized impulse conduction pathway in the alligator heart.
eLife. Roč. 7, Mar 22 (2018), č. článku e32120. ISSN 2050-084X. E-ISSN 2050-084X
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA16-02972S
Institutional support: RVO:67985823
Keywords : ventricular septation * vertebrates * conduction system * evolution
OECD category: Anatomy and morphology (plant science to be 1.6)
Impact factor: 7.551, year: 2018

Mammals and birds have a specialized cardiac atrioventricular conduction system enabling rapid activation of both ventricles. This system may have evolved together with high heart rates to support their endothermic state (warm-bloodedness) and is seemingly lacking in ectothermic vertebrates from which first mammals then birds independently evolved. Here, we studied the conduction system in crocodiles (Alligator mississippiensis), the only ectothermic vertebrates with a full ventricular septum. We identified homologues of mammalian conduction system markers (Tbx3-Tbx5, Scn5a, Gja5, Nppa-Nppb) and show the presence of a functional atrioventricular bundle. The ventricular Purkinje network, however, was absent and slow ventricular conduction relied on trabecular myocardium, as it does in other ectothermic vertebrates. We propose the evolution of the atrioventricular bundle followed full ventricular septum formation prior to the development of high heart rates and endothermy. In contrast, the evolution of the ventricular Purkinje network is strongly associated with high heart rates and endothermy.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0284621