The calcium ion (Ca2+) is the simplest and most versatile intracellular messenger known.
The discovery of Ca2+ sparks and a related family of elementary Ca2+ signaling events has …

Local intracellular Ca2+ transients, termed Ca2+ sparks, are caused by the coordinated
opening of a cluster of ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ release channels in the sarcoplasmic …

Proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a common autosomal recessive childhood form
of motor neuron disease. Previous studies have highlighted nerve-and muscle-specific …

Vasoactive peptides, such as endothelin-1 and angiotensin II, are recognized by specific
receptor proteins located in the cell membrane of target cells. After receptor recognition, the …

Chronic low-level polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposures remain a significant public
health concern since results from epidemiological studies indicate that PCB burden is …

Smooth muscle (SM) is essential to all aspects of human physiology and, therefore, key to
the maintenance of life. Ion channels expressed within SM cells regulate the membrane …

The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of smooth muscles presents many intriguing facets and
questions concerning its roles, especially as these change with development, disease, and …

▪ Abstract The main contributors to increases in [Ca2+] i and tension are the entry of Ca2+
through voltage-dependent channels opened by depolarization or during action potential …

Ion channels in vascular smooth muscle regulate myogenic tone and vessel contractility. In
particular, activation of calcium-and voltage-gated potassium channels of large conductance …

Intracellular calcium ions are involved in the regulation of nearly every aspect of cell
function. In smooth muscle, Ca2+ can be delivered to Ca2+-sensitive effector molecules …