Biomaterial Database

Modeling calcium waves in cardiac myocytes: importance of calcium diffusion. 2010

Pawel Swietach, and Kenneth W Spitzer, and Richard D Vaughan-Jones

Burdon Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK.

Under certain conditions, cardiac myocytes engage in a mode of calcium signaling in which calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) to myoplasm occurs in self-propagating succession along the length of the cell. This event is called a calcium wave and is fundamentally a diffusion-reaction phenomenon. We present a simple, continuum mathematical model that simulates calcium waves. The framework features calcium diffusion within the SR and myoplasm, and dual modulation of ryanodine receptor (RyR) release channels by myoplasmic and SR calcium. The model is used to illustrate the effect of varying RyR permeability, sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) activity and calcium ion mobility in myoplasm and SR on wave velocity. The model successfully reproduces calcium waves using experimentally-derived variables. It also supports the proposal for wave propagation driven by the diffusive spread of myoplasmic calcium, and highlights the importance of SR calcium load on wave propagation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D003198	Computer Simulation	Computer-based representation of physical systems and phenomena such as chemical processes.	Computational Modeling,Computational Modelling,Computer Models,In silico Modeling,In silico Models,In silico Simulation,Models, Computer,Computerized Models,Computer Model,Computer Simulations,Computerized Model,In silico Model,Model, Computer,Model, Computerized,Model, In silico,Modeling, Computational,Modeling, In silico,Modelling, Computational,Simulation, Computer,Simulation, In silico,Simulations, Computer
D004058	Diffusion	The tendency of a gas or solute to pass from a point of higher pressure or concentration to a point of lower pressure or concentration and to distribute itself throughout the available space. Diffusion, especially FACILITATED DIFFUSION, is a major mechanism of BIOLOGICAL TRANSPORT.	Diffusions
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000465	Algorithms	A procedure consisting of a sequence of algebraic formulas and/or logical steps to calculate or determine a given task.	Algorithm
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012519	Sarcoplasmic Reticulum	A network of tubules and sacs in the cytoplasm of SKELETAL MUSCLE FIBERS that assist with muscle contraction and relaxation by releasing and storing calcium ions.	Reticulum, Sarcoplasmic,Reticulums, Sarcoplasmic,Sarcoplasmic Reticulums
D053498	Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases	Calcium-transporting ATPases that catalyze the active transport of CALCIUM into the SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM vesicles from the CYTOPLASM. They are primarily found in MUSCLE CELLS and play a role in the relaxation of MUSCLES.	Calcium-Transporting ATPases, Sarcoplasmic Reticulum,Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase,SERCA Calcium ATPase,SERCA1 Calcium ATPase,SERCA2 Calcium ATPase,SERCA2a Calcium ATPase,SERCA3 Calcium ATPase,SR Ca(2+)-ATPase 1,SR Ca(2+)-ATPase 2,SR Ca(2+)-ATPase 3,Sarco-Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase,Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase,Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPase 1,Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPase 2,Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPase 2a,Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPase 3,Sarcoplasmic-Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase 2,Sarcoplasmic-Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase 2a,Sarcoplasmic-Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase 3,Sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase 1,Ca2+-ATPase, Sarco-Endoplasmic Reticulum,Calcium Transporting ATPases, Sarcoplasmic Reticulum,Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, Sarco-Endoplasmic,Sarco Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ ATPase,Sarcoplasmic Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase 2,Sarcoplasmic Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase 2a,Sarcoplasmic Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase 3,Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Transporting ATPase 1,Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Transporting ATPase 2,Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Transporting ATPase 2a,Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Transporting ATPase 3,Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Transporting ATPases,Sarcoplasmic endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase 1
D019837	Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel	A tetrameric calcium release channel in the SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM membrane of SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS, acting oppositely to SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM CALCIUM-TRANSPORTING ATPASES. It is important in skeletal and cardiac excitation-contraction coupling and studied by using RYANODINE. Abnormalities are implicated in CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS and MUSCULAR DISEASES.	Calcium-Ryanodine Receptor Complex,RyR1,Ryanodine Receptor 1,Ryanodine Receptor 2,Ryanodine Receptor 3,Ryanodine Receptors,Ca Release Channel-Ryanodine Receptor,Receptor, Ryanodine,RyR2,RyR3,Ryanodine Receptor,Ca Release Channel Ryanodine Receptor,Calcium Ryanodine Receptor Complex,Complex, Calcium-Ryanodine Receptor,Receptor 1, Ryanodine,Receptor 2, Ryanodine,Receptor 3, Ryanodine,Receptor Complex, Calcium-Ryanodine,Receptors, Ryanodine