LAUSR

Whether or not the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated nonselective cation channel (HCN or funny current If ) is involved in pacemaking - recurrent heartbeat, it is attributed to electrical activities in all excitable cells, including those of invertebrates. In latter group of animals prevailingly the electrical signals and function of heart in terms of chrono- and inotropy are elucidated. Although in simpler models including insects experimental outcomes are reproducible and robust, involvement of "cardiac clock" mechanism in pacemaking is not conclusive. In this assay, the mechanisms of heartbeat are synthesized by focused comparisons between insect and mammalian hearts.