Positive chronotropy induced by β1-adrenergic stimulation is achieved by multiple interactions of ion channels and transporters in sinoatrial node pacemaker cells (SANs). To investigate the ionic mechanisms, we updated our SAN model developed in 2003 and incorporated the β1-adrenergic signaling cascade developed by Kuzumoto et al. (2007). Since the slow component of the delayed rectifier K + current (I Ks ) is one of the major targets of the β1-adrenergic cascade, we developed a guinea pig model with a large I Ks . The new model provided a good representation of the experimental characteristics of SANs. A comparison of individual current during diastole recorded before and after β1-adrenergic stimulation clearly showed the negative shift of the L-type Ca 2+ current (I CaL ) takeoff potential, enlargement of the sustained inward current (I st ), and the hyperpolarization-activated nonselective cation current (I ha ) played major roles in increasing the firing frequency. Deactivation of I Ks during diastole scarcely contributed to the time-dependent decrease in membrane K + conductance, which was the major mechanism for slow diastolic depolarization, as indicated by calculating the instantaneous equilibrium potential (lead potential). This was because the activation of I Ks during the preceding action potential was negligibly small. However, I Ks was important in counterbalancing the increase in I CaL and the Na + /Ca 2+ exchange current (I NaCa ), which otherwise compromised the positive chronotropic effect by elongating the action potential duration. Enhanced Ca 2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum failed to induce an obvious chronotropic effect in our model.Key words: β1-adrenergic receptor, cardiac pacemaker model, sinoatrial node, sympathetic nerve stimulation, simulation.Sympathetic stimulation of SA node pacemaker cells (SANs) is essential for increasing heart rate when a larger blood supply is required for the body. The autonomic neurotransmitter, noradrenaline, is released from nerve terminals, binds to the β1-adrenergic receptor, and initiates intracellular signal transduction in SANs, which causes the increased firing frequency of spontaneous action potentials. This positive chronotropy is due to a variety of functional modifications of ion channels and ion transporters. To date, electrophysiological and pharmacological studies have provided experimental evidence to show that ion channels and transporters are modified by the β1-adrenergic stimulation. To clarify the contributions of each current, however, an integrative analysis is required because positive chronotropy is induced by multiple interactions of all ion channels and transporters, which have different kinetics and respond differently to β1-adrenergic stimulation. In 2003, we developed a SAN model that included spontaneous action potential generation and intracellular ion homeostasis, including Ca 2+ dynamics [1,2]. Using this model, we proposed the principal ionic mechanisms underlying the spontaneous action potential. In the...