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Synchronization of Ca 2+ oscillations: a coupled oscillator‐based mechanism in smooth muscle
Author(s) -
Imtiaz Mohammad S.,
von der Weid PierreYves,
van Helden Dirk F.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the febs journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.981
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1742-4658
pISSN - 1742-464X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07437.x
Subject(s) - coupling (piping) , biophysics , membrane potential , endoplasmic reticulum , chemistry , neuroscience , biology , materials science , biochemistry , metallurgy
Entrained oscillations in Ca 2+ 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 Ca 2+ oscillations across cells that drives membrane potential changes and causes coordinated contractions. The key elements of this mechanism are as follows: (a) the Ca 2+ release–refill cycle of endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ stores; (b) Ca 2+ ‐dependent modulation of membrane currents; (c) voltage‐dependent modulation of Ca 2+ store release; and (d) cell–cell coupling through gap junctions or other mechanisms. In this mechanism, Ca 2+ 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 Ca 2+ or inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate, and thus provides an effective means of long‐range signaling.