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Updated: May 5, 2026

Assessment of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Reserve and Intracellular Diastolic Calcium Removal in Isolated Ventricular Cardiomyocytes
Published on: September 18, 2017
Cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium leak: basis and roles in cardiac dysfunction
1Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, California 95616;
Insights
Cardiac SR calcium (Ca) leak, often via ryanodine receptors, impairs heart function and energetics. This review details SR Ca leak
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Molecular Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Synchronized sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium (Ca) release is vital for cardiac excitation-contraction coupling.
- SR Ca leak, including Ca sparks and waves, can disrupt normal heart function, particularly in heart failure.
- Leakage primarily occurs through ryanodine receptors and has significant physiological consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the quantitative aspects and manifestations of SR Ca leak.
- To discuss the measurement of SR Ca leak.
- To explore how Ca, associated proteins, and posttranslational modifications modulate SR Ca leak in health and disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on quantitative aspects of SR Ca leak.
- Analysis of mechanisms and modulators of SR Ca leak.
- Synthesis of information on SR Ca leak's impact on cardiac function.
Main Results:
- SR Ca leak can lead to systolic and diastolic dysfunction by altering Ca availability and diastolic Ca levels.
- SR Ca leak contributes to triggered arrhythmias and increases cellular energy expenditure.
- Factors such as Ca concentration, protein interactions, and posttranslational modifications influence SR Ca leak.
Conclusions:
- SR Ca leak is a critical determinant of cardiac function and energetics.
- Understanding SR Ca leak is essential for managing heart failure and related conditions.
- Further research into modulating SR Ca leak holds therapeutic potential.
Abstract:
Synchronized SR calcium (Ca) release is critical to normal cardiac myocyte excitation-contraction coupling, and ideally this release shuts off completely between heartbeats. However, other SR Ca release events are referred to collectively as SR Ca leak (which includes Ca sparks and waves as well as smaller events not detectable as Ca sparks). Much, but not all, of the SR Ca leak occurs via ryanodine receptors and can be exacerbated in pathological states such as heart failure. The extent of SR Ca leak is important because it can (a) reduce SR Ca available for release, causing systolic dysfunction; (b) elevate diastolic [Ca]i, contributing to diastolic dysfunction; (c) cause triggered arrhythmias; and (d) be energetically costly because of extra ATP used to repump Ca. This review addresses quantitative aspects and manifestations of SR Ca leak and its measurement, and how leak is modulated by Ca, associated proteins, and posttranslational modifications in health and disease.
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