Evidence of superior and inferior sinoatrial nodes in the mammalian heart [Human]

We report the application of RNA sequencing technology for high-throughput profiling of regionally separated sinoatrial nodal tissues from human hearts. We find that both the superior and inferior regions of these sinoatrial nodal tissues (termed sSAN and iSAN, respectively) possess statistically comparable levels of cardiac ion channels, receptors, neural proteins, and transcription factors. This study provides new insights into regional molecular expression of pacemaking tissue in the right atria. Overall design: Examination of 4 different tissue types from the human heart.