title: Ca(2+) oscillations, gradients, and homeostasis in vascular smooth muscle.
abstract: Vascular smooth muscle shows both plasticity and heterogeneity with respect to Ca(2+) signaling. Physiological perturbations in cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) may take the form of a uniform maintained rise, a transient uniform [Ca(2+)](i) elevation, a transient localized rise in [Ca(2+)](i) (also known as spark and puff), a transient propagated wave of localized [Ca(2+)](i) elevation (Ca(2+) wave), recurring asynchronous Ca(2+) waves, or recurring synchronized Ca(2+) waves dependent on the type of blood vessel and the nature of stimulation. In this overview, evidence is presented which demonstrates that interactions of ion transporters located in the membranes of the cell, sarcoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria form the basis of this plasticity of Ca(2+) signaling. We focus in particular on how the junctional complexes of plasmalemma and superficial sarcoplasmic reticulum, through the generation of local cytoplasmic Ca(2+) gradients, maintain [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations, couple these to either contraction or relaxation, and promote Ca(2+) cycling during homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: The iCAPTURE Center, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
authors.forename: Cheng-Han
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Damon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Poburko
authors.forename: Kuo-Hsing
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Chun Yong
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Seow
authors.forename: Cornelis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Breemen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010507:Periodicity; D012519:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014661:Vasoconstriction; D014664:Vasodilation
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium