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Electrical bursting and intracellular Ca2+ oscillations in excitable cell models
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
Biological Cybernetics
|January 1, 1990
Summary
The intracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration dynamics significantly impact electrical bursting in excitable cells. Mathematical modeling reveals that cellular Ca2+ buffering capacity dictates the phase and shape of Ca2+ oscillations during bursting.
Area of Science:
- Computational neuroscience
- Cellular electrophysiology
- Mathematical biology
Background:
- Intracellular Ca2+ ions are crucial for cellular functions in excitable cells like pancreatic beta-cells and Aplysia neurons.
- Electrical bursting in these cells involves complex ionic current dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in electrical bursting.
- To model the interplay between electrical activity and intracellular Ca2+ dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of a mathematical model for excitable cells incorporating key ionic currents.
- Modeling Ca2+ current inactivation influenced by voltage and intracellular Ca2+.
- Simulation of [Ca2+]i oscillations under varying cellular Ca2+ buffering capacities.
Main Results:
- Electrical bursting patterns can exhibit diverse [Ca2+]i oscillation shapes based on Ca2+ buffering strength.
- Fast buffering leads to in-phase [Ca2+]i oscillations, while slow buffering results in out-of-phase oscillations.
- The model predicts complex behaviors including multipeaked oscillations and chaos.
Conclusions:
- Cellular Ca2+ buffering capacity is a critical determinant of [Ca2+]i oscillation patterns during electrical bursting.
- Mathematical modeling provides insights into the complex relationship between electrical activity and intracellular Ca2+ dynamics.
- The study highlights the potential for diverse oscillatory behaviors and chaotic dynamics in excitable cells.