Pk. Lunde et Om. Sejersted, INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM SIGNALING IN STRIATED-MUSCLE CELLS, Scandinavian journal of clinical & laboratory investigation, 57(7), 1997, pp. 559-568
Calcium signalling in cells is dependent on a communication between ch
annels/ transporters in two membrane structures: the cell membrane and
the membranes of endo-and sarcoplasmic reticula (ER/SR). In general,
cytosolic Ca2+ can be raised by influx of calcium over the cell membra
ne through three types of channels: voltage-, receptor-, and store-ope
rated channels (VOCs, ROCs and SOCs). This small Ca2+ influx is most o
ften amplified by a Ca2+ release from the ER/SR through two types of c
hannels: the IP3-receptor and the ryanodine receptor (RyR), which are
huge proteins identified and cloned in recent years. We focus on the '
synaptic' connection between VOCs (L-type calcium channels) and RyRs o
f the SR in heart and skeletal muscle. Depolarization of the cell memb
rane (an action potential) opens the VOC and moves it in the membrane.
One VOC triggers opening of a certain number of underlying RyRs that
together release a quantum of calcium from the SR, a calcium spark. Th
e communication between the VOC and RyRs is probably achieved primaril
y by a mechanical link in skeletal muscle (voltage-controlled calcium
release), and by the small inward calcium flux through the VOC in the
heart (calcium-induced calcium release, CICR). Conditions as different
as heart failure, myasthenia gravis, malignant hyperthermia, and skel
etal muscle fatigue, may be examples of deteriorated control or functi
on of the RyR.