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Using animations to learn Ca 2+ signaling pathways in vascular endothelial cells
Author(s) -
Liang Willmann,
Pang Lori Yaoxian
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.765.1
Subject(s) - animation , vasoactive , calcium signaling , intracellular , computer science , cell signaling , graphics , signal transduction , computational biology , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , neuroscience , bioinformatics , biology , endocrinology , computer graphics (images)
The well being of the cardiovascular system depends largely on the health of endothelial cells (ECs). Pathophysiology of ECs, often associated with abnormal Ca 2+ signaling characteristics, results in vasoactive secretions that lead to functional defects in cardiovascular disorders. Understanding the fundamentals of EC Ca 2+ signaling is therefore crucial for research personnel in this field. Despite the wealth of literature describing various aspects of Ca 2+ regulation in ECs, one could easily be overwhelmed by the complexity of the topic. Thus, we developed an animation series to help students and researchers learn the basic concepts of Ca 2+ regulation in ECs. Graphics and animations were constructed using conventional, commercially available softwares. The animations depict major modes of EC Ca 2+ transport systems and the various intracellular Ca 2+ stores involved. Interactions between Ca 2+ ‐storing compartments and the directional flow of Ca 2+ are illustrated as well. Concise text description accompanies the animations for each concept. Compared to typical textbooks and journal articles, annotated animations would be more easily comprehensible and stimulating to the mind. As a result, key features of EC Ca 2+ signaling could be conveyed to a novice more efficiently using the animations here.