Molecular aspects of the excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle.
Extremely rapid and massive release of Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum upon depolarization of the T-tubule regulates the contraction of skeletal muscle. The dihydropyridine receptor (voltage sensor) on the T-tubule faces the ryanodine receptor (Ca(2+) release channel) on the sarcoplasmic reticulum at the triadic junction and their intermolecular interaction is responsible for the swift release of Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. We are now beginning to gain insight into the molecular structures that are important for the coupling mechanism.
Iino
M
M
Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo. iino@m.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000378:metabolism; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel / Q000378:metabolism; D012519:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism
D015220:Calcium Channels; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel