title: 'Quantal' Ca(2+) release reassessed--a clue to oscillation and synchronization.
abstract: Ca(2+) release from intracellular Ca(2+) stores, a pivotal event in Ca(2+) signaling, is a 'quantal' process; it terminates after a rapid release of a fraction of stored Ca(2+). To explain the 'quantal' nature, 'all-or-none' model and 'steady-state' model were proposed. This article shortly reviews these hypotheses and considers a recently proposed mechanism, 'luminal potential' model, in which the membrane potential of Ca(2+) store regulates Ca(2+) efflux. By reassessing the 'quantal' nature, other important features of Ca(2+) signaling, oscillation and synchronization, are highlighted. The mechanism for 'quantal' Ca(2+) release may underlie the temporal and spatial control of Ca(2+) signaling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology I, Nara Medical University, Shijo-cho 840, Kashihara 634-8521, Japan. yama@naramed-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamashita
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium