RYR2

More than 200 mutations in the RYR2 gene have been found to cause catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), a heart condition characterized by an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) during exercise or emotional stress, which can be fatal. Almost all of the RYR2 gene mutations involved in CPVT change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the ryanodine receptor 2 protein. These mutations alter the structure and function of the RYR2 channel.

Researchers are uncertain how RYR2 gene mutations lead to ventricular tachycardia, the abnormally fast and irregular heart rhythm that is characteristic of CPVT. Some studies have suggested that mutations interfere with the regulation of the RYR2 channel. Other studies have found that the altered RYR2 channel stays open abnormally, allowing calcium ions to "leak" out of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. It is clear that changes in the structure and function of the RYR2 channel disrupt the careful control of calcium ion flow in myocytes, which can trigger an abnormal heart rhythm in people with CPVT.

Several other mutations in the RYR2 gene have been found to cause a heart condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). This condition causes part of the heart muscle to break down over time, which increases the risk of arrhythmia and sudden death.

The RYR2 gene mutations responsible for ARVC change single amino acids in the ryanodine receptor 2 protein. These mutations alter the structure of the RYR2 channel, which probably allows calcium ions to "leak" out of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This failure of calcium regulation within myocytes can trigger the abnormal heart rhythm characteristic of ARVC.

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Familial atrial fibrillation