title: Ca2+ homeostasis in vascular smooth muscle.
abstract: The free intracellular calcium concentration is an important link in the excitation-contraction coupling mechanism of vascular smooth muscle. In this review, some current topics about vascular smooth muscle as regards Ca2+ storage, Ca2+ release, Ca2+ extrusion and Ca2+ regulation are discussed. Particular attention is paid to Ca2+ mobilized from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, the physiologically important Ca2+ reservoir in vascular smooth muscle. This occurs through two Ca2+ release channels: the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor and the ryanodine receptor; the characteristics, function and control of these two receptors are summarized. Emphasis is also placed on a role of the nucleus as a potential Ca2+ storage site.
authors.affiliation: Physiological Laboratory, K.U. Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Himpens
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Missiaen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casteels
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000502:physiology; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; C506926:ITPR1 protein, human; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; D002118:Calcium