The variation of the sarcolipin gene (SLN) in atrial fibrillation, long QT syndrome and sudden arrhythmic death syndrome.

Abstract

Mutations in genes responsible for the cardiac action potential and control of intracellular Ca(2+)-distribution are associated with cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death. Sarcolipin is a 31-amino acid protein that inhibits the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase pump (SERCA2). The sarcolipin gene, SLN, is expressed in the heart and a candidate gene for cardiomyopathy as well as atrial fibrillation (AF), long QT syndrome (LQTS) or sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS). We examined the genetic variation of SLN in patients with the arrhythmic disorders AF, LQTS and SADS.