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Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells
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Molecular mechanisms of intracellular calcium excitability in X. laevis oocytes

J D Lechleiter1, D E Clapham

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905.

Cell
|April 17, 1992
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals that intracellular calcium (Ca2+) excitability and spiral wave patterns in Xenopus oocytes depend on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and Ca2+ concentration, not external Ca2+. Diffusion influences wave propagation.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Receptor activation in Xenopus oocytes triggers intracellular Ca2+ release, forming spiral waves.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of Ca2+ excitability is crucial for cell signaling research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify key molecular elements responsible for Ca2+ excitability.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms governing intracellular Ca2+ wave propagation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Xenopus oocytes as a model system.
  • Investigated Ca2+ release patterns induced by GTP-gamma-S and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3).
  • Analyzed temperature dependence of wavefront propagation to infer diffusion-limited processes.

Main Results:

  • Ca2+ release patterns from GTP-gamma-S and IP3 were indistinguishable from receptor-induced patterns.
  • Regenerative Ca2+ activity critically depends on IP3 and intracellular Ca2+ concentration.
  • Wave propagation is independent of extracellular Ca2+ and influenced by cytoplasmic Ca2+ diffusion.

Conclusions:

  • A model is proposed where IP3-mediated Ca2+ release controls wave propagation, modulated by cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration and diffusion.
  • Intracellular Ca2+ signaling exhibits excitable media properties, with diffusion playing a key role.

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