title: Action potentials, calcium transients and the control of differentiation of excitable cells.
abstract: Calcium influx via action potentials in differentiating nerve and muscle is regulated principally by the expression of potassium currents. Transient elevations of intracellular calcium in spontaneously active cells are necessary for normal neuronal development. The mechanisms that connect calcium elevations to long term developmental change are likely to be utilized in the mature nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093.
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Spitzer
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Olson
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D007473:Ion Channels; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium