[Ca2+]i oscillations in sympathetic neurons: an experimental test of a theoretical model.
[Ca2+]i oscillations have been described in a variety of cells. This study focuses on caffeine-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations in sympathetic neurons. Previous work has shown that these oscillations require Ca2+ entry from the extracellular medium and Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release from a caffeine- and ryanodine-sensitive store. The aim of the study was to understand the mechanism responsible for the oscillations. As a starting point, [Ca2+]i relaxations were examined after membrane depolarization and exposure to caffeine. For both stimuli, post-stimulus relaxations could be described by the sum of two decaying exponential functions, consistent with a one-pool system in which Ca2+ transport between compartments is regulated by linear Ca2+ pumps and leaks. After modifying the store to include a [Ca2+]i-sensitive leak, the model also exhibits oscillations such as those observed experimentally. The model was tested by comparing measured and predicted net Ca2+ fluxes during the oscillatory cycle. Three independent fluxes were measured, describing the rates of 1) Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane, 2) Ca2+ release by the internal store, and 3) Ca2+ extrusion across the plasma membrane and uptake by the internal store. Starting with estimates of the model parameters deduced from post-stimulus relaxations and the rapid upstroke, a set of parameter values was found that provides a good description of [Ca2+]i throughout the oscillatory cycle. With the same parameter values, there was also good agreement between the measured and simulated net fluxes. Thus, a one-pool model with a single [Ca2+]i-sensitive Ca2+ permeability is adequate to account for many of the quantitative properties of steady-state [Ca2+]i oscillations in sympathetic neurons. Inactivation of the intracellular Ca2+ permeability, cooperative nonlinear Ca2+ uptake and extrusion mechanisms, and functional links between plasma membrane Ca2+ transport and the internal store are not required.
Friel
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DD
Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-4975, USA.
D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008433:Mathematics; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009991:Oscillometry; D011892:Rana catesbeiana; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D013729:Terpenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D019284:Thapsigargin; D013997:Time Factors
D013729:Terpenes; D002110:Caffeine; D019284:Thapsigargin; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D002118:Calcium