These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Development of excitation-contraction coupling in cardiomyocytes.
    Author: Tohse N, Seki S, Kobayashi T, Tsutsuura M, Nagashima M, Yamada Y.
    Journal: Jpn J Physiol; 2004 Feb; 54(1):1-6. PubMed ID: 15040842.
    Abstract:
    The excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling system during the development of heart can be investigated because of marked progression in electrophysiology and microfluorescence studies. During the developmental period, Ca2+ influx mediating the E-C coupling is mainly through the L-type Ca2+ channels. In the fetal period, T-type Ca2+ channels and the reverse mode of the Na-Ca exchange system also contribute to Ca2+ influx. These contributions probably reduce gradually until adulthood. The contraction of fetal cardiomyocytes has been thought to depend mainly on the Ca2+ influx. However, recent studies reveal that immature sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) already works in the early fetal period. Ca2+ spark, a local and unitary movement of Ca2+, can be observed in adult cardiomyocytes by the use of a confocal microscope. On the other hand, no Ca2+ spark is observed in fetal cardiomyocytes. The frequency of Ca(2+)-spark evocation increases during the postnatal period. Therefore a close distance between the L-type Ca2+ channel and the SR Ca(2+)-release channel is essential to the establishment of the Ca2+ spark.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]