A Brugada Syndrome mutation (p.S216L) and its modulation by p.H558R polymorphism: standard and dynamic characterization

AIMS: The Na(+) channel mutation (p.S216L), previously associated with type 3 long-QT syndrome (LQT3) phenotype, and a common polymorphism (p.H558R) were detected in a patient with an intermittent Brugada syndrome (BS) ECG pattern. The study was aimed to assess the p.S216L electrical phenotype, its modulation by p.H558R, and to identify abnormalities compatible with a mixed BS-LQT3 phenotype. METHODS AND RESULTS: The mutation was expressed alone (S216L channels), or in combination with the polymorphism (S216L-H558R channels), in a mammalian cell line (TSA201). Functional analysis included standard voltage clamp and dynamic clamp with endo- and epicardial action potential waveforms. Expression of S216L channels was associated with a 60% reduction in maximum Na(+) current (I(Na)) density, attributable to protein misfolding (rescued by mexiletine pretreatment) and moderate slowing of inactivation. I(Na) density partially recovered in S216L-H558R channels, but I(Na) inactivation and its recovery were further delayed. The persistent component of I(Na) (I(NaL)) was unchanged. Under dynamic clamp conditions, I(Na) decreased in S216L channels and displayed a 'resurgent' component during late repolarization. In S216L-H558R channels, I(Na) density partially recovered and did not display a resurgent component. I(Na) changes during dynamic clamp were interpreted by numerical modelling. CONCLUSION: The BS pattern of p.S216L might result from a decrease in I(Na) density, which masked gating abnormalities that might otherwise result in a LQT phenotype. The p.H558R polymorphism decreased p.S216L expressivity, partly by lessening p.S216L effects and partly through the induction of further gating abnormalities suitable to blunt p.S216L effects during repolarization.