Potassium-current oscillation of rat megakaryocytes: As a model system for drug evaluation (Review).
Megakaryocytes respond to externally applied agonists showing a periodic K+ current that reflects oscillation in cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). We have revealed several signal transducing factors that are involved in the K+ current oscillation of megakaryocytes. In this megakaryocyte system, it is relatively easy to determine what point of the signal transduction pathway a drug affects. In addition, as a progenitor cell, megakaryocytes resemble platelets which have important roles in many diseases. Therefore, this experimental system can be used for evaluation of new drugs.
Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Setagaya-ku 158-8501, Japan.
C
C
Uneyama
H
H
Uneyama
K
K
Torii
N
N
Akaike
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D008533:Megakaryocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats
D015221:Potassium Channels; D002118:Calcium