Calcium signaling in ocular arterioles


Autoria(s): Curtis, Timothy; Scholfield, Norman; McGeown, Graham
Data(s)

2007

Resumo

Local control of blood flow to the photoreceptors and associated neurons in the retina is largely achieved through changes in tone within the choroidal and retinal arterioles. This is primarily achieved through changes in [Ca2+] within the smooth muscle of these vessels, which regulates cell contraction and vascular constriction. Here we review some aspects of the cell physiology involved in these Ca2+-signaling processes, with particular emphasis on the molecular mechanisms involved. Ca2+-influx across the plasma membrane can occur via a variety of Ca2+-channels, including voltage-operated, store-operated, and receptor-operated channels. Ca2+ may also be released from intracellular stores via RyR-, or IP3R-gated channels in the SR membrane. Using high-speed confocal Ca2+-imaging, we have also demonstrated that the resulting signals are far from homogeneous, with spontaneous activity in retinal arterioles being characterized by both localized Ca2+-sparks and more global Ca2+-waves and oscillations. These signals may be specifically and differentially targeted, for example, to Ca2+-sensitive ion channels (stimulus-excitation coupling), or pathways regulating contraction (stimulus-contraction coupling). Exploring the role of changes in such targeting in disease states will provide exciting opportunities for future research.

Identificador

http://pure.qub.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/calcium-signaling-in-ocular-arterioles(8e504734-43fc-41e3-bc0c-bef889705022).html

http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34047134423&partnerID=8YFLogxK

Idioma(s)

eng

Direitos

info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess

Fonte

Curtis , T , Scholfield , N & McGeown , G 2007 , ' Calcium signaling in ocular arterioles ' Critical Reviews in Eukaryotic Gene Expression , vol 17 , no. 1 , pp. 1-12 .

Palavras-Chave #/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1300/1311 #Genetics #/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1300/1312 #Molecular Biology
Tipo

article