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Tunneling membrane nanotubes generate local calcium signals and may actively propagate calcium signals between cells
Author(s) -
Smith Ian F,
Shuai Jianwei,
Parker Ian
Publication year - 2010
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.24.1_supplement.lb582
Subject(s) - membrane , biophysics , molecular communication , gap junction , chemistry , intracellular , neurotransmission , calcium , receptor , nanotechnology , materials science , computer science , biology , biochemistry , computer network , channel (broadcasting) , transmitter , organic chemistry
Cells have long been known to employ gap junctions and synapses to communicate with their neighbors. A new mechanism has recently been proposed following the discovery of tunneling membrane nanotubes (TNTs) between cells [1]. TNTs are dynamic membrane protrusions with lengths up to several tens of microns and diameters of 50–800nm, which permit the exchange of membrane components and cytoplasmic molecules between neighboring cells. Ca 2+ diffusion along TNTs has been proposed as a means of intercellular communication [2], yet our modeling simulations show that passive diffusion alone is insufficient to account for efficient transmission of Ca 2+ between cells. Instead, we observe local spontaneous and inositol trisphosphate (IP 3 )‐evoked mediated Ca 2+ signals within the length of TNTs formed between cultured SHSY‐5Y neuroblastoma cells. Moreover, immunostaining demonstrates the presence of both ER and IP 3 receptors along the TNT. We propose that IP 3 Rs are involved in actively propagating intercellular Ca 2+ signals along TNTs, acting as amplification sites to overcome limitations of passive diffusion in a chemical analog of electrical transmission of action potentials along axons. Supported by grants NIH GM 40871 and GM65830.