Validation of a Rb+ Uptake Assay for the Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes Na+, K+ ATPase

Human Na+, K+ ATPase, an ATP-driven ion transporter, is an emerging drug target for heart-related conditions. Three types of assays including purified enzyme, radiotracer flux, and cold Rb+ flux have been used to determine the activity of this transporter. As an alternative to primary cardiomyocytes, mouse embryonic stem cells-derived cardiomyocytes with functional expression of essential cardiac ion channels were used in the present studies. The results on its pharmacology with digitoxin and ouabain, the 2 well-known cardioglycosides, imply that these cardiomyocytes can be used as a predictive model for the identification of modulators of Na+, K+ ATPase in HTS format.