title: The sarcoplasmic reticulum, Ca2+ trapping, and wave mechanisms in smooth muscle.
abstract: The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and apposed regions of the sarcolemma passively trap Ca2+ entering the cell to limit the rise in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration without SR pump involvement. When "leaky," the SR facilitates Ca2+ entry to the cytoplasm. SR Ca2+ release via inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP(3)Rs) propagates as calcium waves; IP(3)Rs alone account for wave propagation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Neuroscience and Biomedical Systems, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: McCarron
authors.forename: Karen N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: Debbi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: MacMillan
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chalmers
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Muir
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology*; D012519:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium