title: Theory and applications of geometric scaling of localized calcium release events.
abstract: Geometric measures of localized calcium release (LCR) events have been used to understand their biophysical basis. We found power law scaling between three such metrics-maximum amplitude (MA), mass above half-maximum amplitude (MHM), and area at half-maximum amplitude (AHM). In an effort to understand this scaling a minimal analytic model was employed to simulate LCR events recorded by confocal line scan. The distribution of logMHM as a function of logAHM, pMHM(pAHM), was dependent on model parameters such as channel open time, current size, line scan offset, and apparent diffusion coefficient. The distribution of log[MHM/AHM] as a function of logMA, p[MHM/AHM](pMA), was invariant, reflecting the gross geometry of the LCR event. The findings of the model were applied to real LCR line scan data from rabbit portal vein myocytes, rat cerebral artery myocytes, and guinea pig fundus knurled cells. pMHM(pAHM) could be used to distinguish two populations of LCR events in portal vein, even at the scale of "calcium noise," and to calculate the relative current of the two. The relative current was 2. pMHM(pAHM) could also be used to study pharmacological effects. The pMHM(pAHM) distribution of knurled cell LCR events was markedly contracted by ryanodine, suggesting a reduction in channel open time. The p[MHM/AHM](pMA) distributions were invariant across all cell types and were consistent with the model, underlying the common physical basis of their geometry. The geometric scaling of LCR events demonstrated here may help with their mechanistic characterization.
authors: Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Inst., McMaster Univ., HSC Rm 3N6-9, 1200 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada. parsons_llabh@yahoo.co.uk
authors: Sean P
authors: SP
authors: Parsons
authors: Maksym I
authors: MI
authors: Harhun
authors: Jan D
authors: JD
authors: Huizinga
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005748:Gastric Fundus / Q000166:cytology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000166:cytology; D008954:Models, Biological; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism*; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000166:cytology; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012433:Ryanodine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; D012433:Ryanodine; D002118:Calcium