Computer model of action potential of mouse ventricular myocytes

We have developed a mathematical model of the mouse ventricular myocyte action potential (AP) from voltage-clamp data of the underlying currents and Ca²⁺ transients. Wherever possible, we used Markov models to represent the molecular structure and function of ion channels. The model includes detailed intracellular Ca²⁺ dynamics, with simulations of localized events such as sarcoplasmic Ca²⁺ release into a small intracellular volume bounded by the sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum. Transporter-mediated Ca²⁺ fluxes from the bulk cytosol are closely matched to the experimentally reported values and predict stimulation rate-dependent changes in Ca²⁺ transients. Our model reproduces the properties of cardiac myocytes from two different regions of the heart: the apex and the septum. The septum has a relatively prolonged AP, which reflects a relatively small contribution from the rapid transient outward K⁺ current in the septum. The attribution of putative molecular bases for several of the component currents enables our mouse model to be used to simulate the behavior of genetically modified transgenic mice.