Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026
09:34
Applications of Spatio-temporal Mapping and Particle Analysis Techniques to Quantify Intracellular Ca2+ Signaling In Situ
Published on: January 7, 2019
9.8K
Calcium spikes, waves and oscillations in a large, patterned epithelial tissue.
Ramya Balaji1, Christina Bielmeier2, Hartmann Harz2
1Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Center for Biological Systems Analysis, Habsburgerstrasse 49, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
Scientific Reports
|February 21, 2017
Summary
Epithelial cells exhibit complex calcium signaling patterns, including waves and oscillations. These dynamics, influenced by cell coupling and environment, may regulate tissue characteristics and actomyosin organization.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Calcium signaling is well-understood in excitable cells like neurons and muscle.
- Calcium signaling in epithelial tissues remains largely unexplored.
- The functional role of intercellular calcium signaling in epithelial regulation is poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate complex spatiotemporal calcium dynamics in epithelial tissues.
- To characterize intercellular calcium signaling patterns, including waves and oscillations.
- To explore the functional implications of calcium signaling in epithelial characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Drosophila imaginal discs as a model epithelial system.
- Observed complex spatiotemporal calcium dynamics, including waves and oscillations.
- Conducted genetic experiments to investigate the role of calcium signaling components.
Main Results:
- Identified complex spatiotemporal calcium dynamics in Drosophila imaginal discs.
- Described intercellular calcium waves and oscillations as emergent properties of coupled cells.
- Found that calcium signaling components influence actomyosin organization in epithelial cells.
Conclusions:
- Calcium signaling plays a potential role in epithelial regulation.
- Drosophila imaginal discs serve as a valuable model for studying epithelial calcium signaling.
- Further research is needed to fully characterize the in vivo function of epithelial calcium signaling patterns.
More Related Videos
10:46Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells
Published on: July 16, 2013
16.7K
09:07Fluorescent Calcium Imaging and Subsequent In Situ Hybridization for Neuronal Precursor Characterization in Xenopus laevis
Published on: February 18, 2020
8.6K
Related Concept Videos
01:27Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration
4.1K
Calcium is an essential signaling molecule required for various cellular functions. Calcium pumps and ion channels on cell and organellar membranes, such as those on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), regulate calcium concentrations inside the cell. They remain closed, keeping the cytosolic calcium levels low at a resting state.
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
4.1K
01:21Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis
6.4K
Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.
6.4K
01:29Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles
6.4K
The period of muscle contraction primarily influences the duration of stimulation at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the presence of free calcium ions in the sarcoplasm, and the availability of energy or ATP to support contractions.
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open....
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open....
6.4K
01:28Electrical Synapses
11.3K
Electrical synapses found in all nervous systems play important and unique roles. In these synapses, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are very close together (3.5 nm) and are actually physically connected by channel proteins forming gap junctions.
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...
11.3K
01:25Smooth Muscle Contraction
8.7K
Smooth muscle contraction is a complex process vital for various bodily functions, from maintaining blood vessel tension to facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract. Unlike striated muscles, smooth muscle contraction begins more slowly and lasts longer.
The onset of contraction is triggered by an increase in calcium ions within the sarcoplasm, similar to the process in striated muscle. However, smooth muscles have a relatively smaller reservoir of the sarcoplasmic...
The onset of contraction is triggered by an increase in calcium ions within the sarcoplasm, similar to the process in striated muscle. However, smooth muscles have a relatively smaller reservoir of the sarcoplasmic...
8.7K
01:18Patch Clamp
7.0K
Many fundamental cell functions such as muscle contraction and nerve transmission rely on the electrical signals produced by the movement of positively and negatively charged ions across the cell membrane. One competent method to record current flowing across the whole cell or single ion channel is the patch-clamp technique.
In this method, a glass micropipette containing electrolyte solution is tightly sealed against a small portion of the cell membrane. As a result, a patch of the cell...
In this method, a glass micropipette containing electrolyte solution is tightly sealed against a small portion of the cell membrane. As a result, a patch of the cell...
7.0K