Premium
In Situ Calcium Signaling
Author(s) -
BURDYGA THEODOR,
WRAY SUSAN,
NOBLE KAREN
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1389.002
Subject(s) - endoplasmic reticulum , calcium , uterus , biophysics , contraction (grammar) , chemistry , intracellular , microbiology and biotechnology , muscle contraction , smooth muscle , uterine contraction , endocrinology , biology , organic chemistry
Controlled uterine smooth muscle activity is essential for our reproductive health. While we understand reasonably well the steps that produce contraction following a rise in intracellular [Ca], the mechanism controlling excitability and thus the rise of Ca, is less well understood. Here we examine the role of the internal Ca sore, the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), and its relation to surface membrane ion channels. We show that despite having a well‐developed SR, the rat uterus does not produce the elemental and local Ca signals, known as Ca sparks. This in turn has consequences for excitability, as the negative feedback loop between these Ca signals and Ca‐activated K (BK) channels on the surface membrane is lost. This may be important for producing the powerful long‐lasting contractions of the uterus required during labor.