Imperial: gene involving maintenance of heart rhythm

Research lead

Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered a gene that regulates the rhythm of the heart. The discovery increases understanding of how the heartbeat is controlled and could provide a target for drugs to treat the heart disease ventricular fibrillation.

The researchers analysed the genes of almost 20,000 people to look for genetic factors influencing the heartbeat. They studied the electrocardiogram of each person and measured the time taken for electrical signals to travel to different parts of the heart. The researchers discovered that variation in the gene that encodes the ion channel SCN10A was associated with slow and irregular heart rhythms, including risk of ventricular fibrillation.

The researchers then identified the protein in human and mouse heart muscle cells. Although it had previously been found in nerve cells, this is the first time the protein has been identified in heart muscle cells. The scientists then tested their findings by comparing the heart rhythm of mice with and without the SCN10A gene. Mice without a functioning SCN10A gene have shortened heartbeats.

Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, a charity which is one of the sponsors of the research, said, “Before this, we didn't even realise that the protein produced by this gene was present in heart cells. Now it looks like it could be a target for drug development to prevent life-threatening heart rhythm problems.”