title: [Regulation of calcium liberation in sarcoplasmic reticulum and heart muscle cells].
abstract: The force of contraction of the heart muscle is largely determined by the amount of cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]) and the Ca2+ sensitivity of the myofilaments. Using patch-clamp techniques and fluorescent Ca2+ indicators (microfluorimetry) allowing the measurement of the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration under well-defined experimental conditions, we have analyzed the mechanisms underlying the [Ca2+]i transient in single cardiac myocytes. We conclude that in mammalian cardiac myocytes Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is the main source of Ca2+ for activation of the myofilaments. Our results further show that the Ca2+ release channel of the SR is directly gated by Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels that open during the action potential. Ca2+ influx via other pathways including the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger and T-type Ca2+ channels does not play a significant role in triggering Ca2+ release from the SR. Our results also clearly indicate that any change in the amplitude or time course of the [Ca2+]i transient leads to secondary changes in the duration of the action potential through specific actions on Ca2+ sensitive membrane currents. In particular, an increase in Ca2+ release will enhance Ca2+ efflux via the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger resulting in a depolarizing current and prolongation of the action potential. This prolongation of the action potential is to some extent compensated by pronounced inactivation of L-type Ca2+ channels and activation of a transient outward Cl- current.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorium voor Fysiologie K.U. Leuven.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Callewaert
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Sipido
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology; D016623:Ion Pumps / Q000378:metabolism; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D012519:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D018118:Chloride Channels; D016623:Ion Pumps; D002118:Calcium
vernacular_title: Regulatie van de vrijstelling van calcium uit het sarcoplasmatisch reticulum van hartspiercellen.