Electrocalcium coupling in brain capillaries: Rapidly traveling electrical signals ignite local calcium signals.

ABSTRACT: The routing of blood flow throughout the brain vasculature is precisely controlled by mechanisms that serve to maintain a fine balance between local neuronal demands and vascular supply of nutrients. We recently identified two capillary endothelial cell (cEC)-based mechanisms that control cerebral blood flow in vivo: 1) electrical signaling, mediated by extracellular K⁺-dependent activation of strong inward rectifying K⁺ (Kir2.1) channels, which are steeply activated by hyperpolarization and thus are capable of cell-to-cell propagation, and 2) calcium (Ca²⁺) signaling, which reflects release of Ca²⁺ via the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP₃R)-a target of G_q-protein-coupled receptor signaling. Notably, Ca²⁺

SUBMITTER: Mughal A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11665868 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature