Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/928639

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Title
Synchronization of Ca²⁺ oscillations: a coupled oscillator-based mechanism in smooth muscle
Author/Creator
Imtiaz, Mohammad S.;  von der Weid, Pierre-Yves;  van Helden, Dirk F.
Institution
The University of Newcastle. Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy
Description
Entrained oscillations in Ca²⁺ underlie many biological pacemaking phenomena. In this article, we review a long-range signaling mechanism in smooth muscle that results in global outcomes of local interactions. Our results are derived from studies of the following: (a) slow-wave depolarizations that underlie rhythmic contractions of gastric smooth muscle; and (b) membrane depolarizations that drive rhythmic contractions of lymphatic smooth muscle. The main feature of this signaling mechanism is a coupled oscillator-based synchronization of Ca²⁺ oscillations across cells that drives membrane potential changes and causes coordinated contractions. The key elements of this mechanism are as follows: (a) the Ca²⁺ release–refill cycle of endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ stores; (b) Ca²⁺-dependent modulation of membrane currents; (c) voltage-dependent modulation of Ca²⁺ store release; and (d) cell–cell coupling through gap junctions or other mechanisms. In this mechanism, Ca²⁺ stores alter the frequency of adjacent stores through voltage-dependent modulation of store release. This electrochemical coupling is many orders of magnitude stronger than the coupling through diffusion of Ca²⁺ or inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, and thus provides an effective means of long-range signaling.
Relation
FEBS Journal Vol. 277, Issue 2, p. 278-285
Publisher Link
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07437.x
Date
2010
Publisher
Wiley
Keyword(s)
Ca²⁺ oscillations;  Ca²⁺ stores;  coupled oscillators;  lymphatics;  slow waves;  synchronization
Resource Type
journal article
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/928639
Identifier
ISSN:1742-464X
Reviewed
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Subject
"FEBS Journal"
 
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