Digital imaging system for recording rapid changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations triggered by electrical stimulation of cardiac myocytes.
To examine the origin and spreading of the Ca2+ transient following electrical stimulation of isolated myocyte, a system capable of recording intracellular Ca2+ distribution with sufficient temporal and spatial resolution was constructed. The system consists of a fluorescence microscope with computer-controlled pulse illumination and a digital image analyzer. The results with this new equipment show that the Ca2+ transient originates from one or a few points within a myocyte, and spreads throughout the cell. During the initial 60-msec period, the distribution of Ca2+ within a myocyte was not uniform. The system may be used for better understanding of the excitation-contraction coupling mechanism occurring within a cardiac myocyte or of changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations in other cells in which Ca2+ plays a crucial role in signal transduction.
Akera
T
T
Department of Pediatric Pharmacology, National Children's Hospital Medical Research Center, Tokyo, Japan.
Temma
K
K
Kondo
H
H
Hagane
K
K
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors
D002118:Calcium