Termination of Ca²+ release for clustered IP₃R channels.

ABSTRACT: In many cell types, release of calcium ions is controlled by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃) receptor channels. Elevations in Ca²⁺ concentration after intracellular release through IP₃ receptors (IP₃R) can either propagate in the form of waves spreading through the entire cell or produce spatially localized puffs. The appearance of waves and puffs is thought to implicate random initial openings of one or a few channels and subsequent activation of neighboring channels because of an "autocatalytic" feedback. It is much less clear, however, what determines the further time course of release, particularly since the lifetime is very different for waves (several seconds) and puffs (around 100 ms). Here we study the lifetime of Ca²⁺ signals and their dependence on residual Ca²⁺ microdomains.

SUBMITTER: Rudiger S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3364945 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature