title: Invited review: mechanisms of calcium handling in smooth muscles.
abstract: The concentration of cytoplasmic Ca(2+) regulates the contractile state of smooth muscle cells and tissues. Elevations in global cytoplasmic Ca(2+) resulting in contraction are accomplished by Ca(2+) entry and release from intracellular stores. Pathways for Ca(2+) entry include dihydropyridine-sensitive and -insensitive Ca(2+) channels and receptor and store-operated nonselective channels permeable to Ca(2+). Intracellular release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is accomplished by ryanodine and inositol trisphosphate receptors. The impact of Ca(2+) entry and release on cytoplasmic concentration is modulated by Ca(2+) reuptake into the SR, uptake into mitochondria, and extrusion into the extracellular solution. Highly localized Ca(2+) transients (i.e., sparks and puffs) regulate ionic conductances in the plasma membrane, which can provide feedback to cell excitability and affect Ca(2+) entry. This short review describes the major transport mechanisms and compartments that are utilized for Ca(2+) handling in smooth muscles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA. kent@physio.unr.edu
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D002118:Calcium