title: [The role of intracellular Ca2+ release in olfactory signal transduction].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To setup the real time monitor system of the concentration of free intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) cultured from olfactory epithelium explant, and to analyze the role of several important components in olfactory signal transduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The [Ca2+]i of the cultured ORNs was determined by fluorescence microscopy using the fluorescent calcium indicator, Fura-2 AM, and calculated by means of dual-wavelength ratiometric method. Forskolin and IBMX were used to stimulate the cultured ORNs respectively. The source of corresponding [Ca2+]i elevation was studied by the depletion of extracellular or intracellular calcium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The [Ca2+]i of silent ORNs was (58.5 +/- 12.8) nmol/L. Forskolin or IBMX stimulation led to reversible accumulation of [Ca2+]i in the ORNs. The [Ca2+]i change was abolished with the removal of extracellular Ca2+ and un-affected by treatment with thapsigargin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A system to visualize and quantify [Ca2+]i of the ORNs was established. [Ca2+]i of the ORNs was regulated by second messenger gated calcium channels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Mu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xian
authors.forename: Demin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Luo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018034:Olfactory Receptor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000242:Cyclic AMP; D002118:Calcium