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.
Uneyama
C
C
Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Setagaya-ku 158-8501, Japan.
Uneyama
H
H
Torii
K
K
Akaike
N
N
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