title: Calcium oscillations and pacemaking.
abstract: Calcium plays important role in biological systems where it is involved in diverse mechanisms such as signaling, muscle contraction and neuromodulation. Action potentials are generated by dynamic interaction of ionic channels located on the plasma-membrane and these drive the rhythmic activity of biological systems such as the smooth muscle and the heart. However, ionic channels are not the only pacemakers; an intimate interaction between intracellular Ca(2+) stores and ionic channels underlie rhythmic activity. In this review we will focus on the role of Ca(2+) stores in regulation of rhythmical behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada. mimtiaz@ucalgary.ca
authors.forename: Mohammad S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Imtiaz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism; D012849:Sinoatrial Node / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D002118:Calcium