Background: The hyperpolarization-activated nucleotide-gated channel--HCN4 plays a major role in the diastolic depolarization of sinus atrial node cells. Mutant HCN4 channels have been found to be associated with inherited sinus bradycardia.
Methods and results: Sixteen members of a family with sinus bradycardia were evaluated. Evaluation included a clinical questionnaire, 12-lead ECGs, Holter monitoring, echocardiography, and treadmill exercise testing. Eight family members (5 males) were classified as affected. All affected family members were asymptomatic with normal exercise capacity during long-term follow-up. Electrophysiological testing performed on 2 affected family members confirmed significant isolated sinus node dysfunction. Segregation analysis suggested autosomal-dominant inheritance. Direct sequencing of the exons encoding HCN4 revealed a missense mutation, G480R, in the ion channel pore domain in all affected family members. Function analysis, including expression of HCN4 wild-type and G480R in Xenopus oocytes and human embryonic kidney 293 cells, revealed that mutant channels were activated at more negative voltages compared with wild-type channels. Synthesis and expression of the wild-type and mutant HCN4 channel on the plasma membrane tested in human embryonic kidney 293 cells using biotinylation and Western blot analysis demonstrated a reduction in synthesis and a trafficking defect in mutant compared with wild-type channels.
Conclusions: We describe an inherited, autosomal-dominant form of sinus node dysfunction caused by a missense mutation in the HCN4 ion channel pore. Despite its critical location, this mutation carries a favorable prognosis without the need for pacemaker implantation during long-term follow-up.