Biomaterial Database

Electrophysiological and other aspects of excitation-contraction coupling and uncoupling in mammalian airway smooth muscle. 1987

M A Giembycz, and I W Rodger

In this article the electrophysiological events which are believed to underly agonist-induced contraction and relaxation of airway smooth muscle are reviewed, with special emphasis on the indispensable role of the Ca ion. The contribution made by Na, K, Ca and Cl to, and the role that the electrogenic Na:K-dependent ATPase plays in, the maintenance of the resting membrane potential in both normal and sensitised airway smooth muscle cells is described together with the permeability changes that occur in the plasmalemma in response to excitatory and inhibitory agonists. In addition, the currently available evidence for the existence of potential-sensitive and receptor-operated Ca channels in respiratory smooth muscle, and how such channels may be involved in the regulation of airway calibre, is critically assessed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007473	Ion Channels	Gated, ion-selective glycoproteins that traverse membranes. The stimulus for ION CHANNEL GATING can be due to a variety of stimuli such as LIGANDS, a TRANSMEMBRANE POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE, mechanical deformation or through INTRACELLULAR SIGNALING PEPTIDES AND PROTEINS.	Membrane Channels,Ion Channel,Ionic Channel,Ionic Channels,Membrane Channel,Channel, Ion,Channel, Ionic,Channel, Membrane,Channels, Ion,Channels, Ionic,Channels, Membrane
D008564	Membrane Potentials	The voltage differences across a membrane. For cellular membranes they are computed by subtracting the voltage measured outside the membrane from the voltage measured inside the membrane. They result from differences of inside versus outside concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other ions across cells' or ORGANELLES membranes. For excitable cells, the resting membrane potentials range between -30 and -100 millivolts. Physical, chemical, or electrical stimuli can make a membrane potential more negative (hyperpolarization), or less negative (depolarization).	Resting Potentials,Transmembrane Potentials,Delta Psi,Resting Membrane Potential,Transmembrane Electrical Potential Difference,Transmembrane Potential Difference,Difference, Transmembrane Potential,Differences, Transmembrane Potential,Membrane Potential,Membrane Potential, Resting,Membrane Potentials, Resting,Potential Difference, Transmembrane,Potential Differences, Transmembrane,Potential, Membrane,Potential, Resting,Potential, Transmembrane,Potentials, Membrane,Potentials, Resting,Potentials, Transmembrane,Resting Membrane Potentials,Resting Potential,Transmembrane Potential,Transmembrane Potential Differences
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D009126	Muscle Relaxation	That phase of a muscle twitch during which a muscle returns to a resting position.	Muscle Relaxations,Relaxation, Muscle,Relaxations, Muscle
D009130	Muscle, Smooth	Unstriated and unstriped muscle, one of the muscles of the internal organs, blood vessels, hair follicles, etc. Contractile elements are elongated, usually spindle-shaped cells with centrally located nuclei. Smooth muscle fibers are bound together into sheets or bundles by reticular fibers and frequently elastic nets are also abundant. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Muscle, Involuntary,Smooth Muscle,Involuntary Muscle,Involuntary Muscles,Muscles, Involuntary,Muscles, Smooth,Smooth Muscles
D012130	Respiratory Hypersensitivity	A form of hypersensitivity affecting the respiratory tract. It includes ASTHMA and RHINITIS, ALLERGIC, SEASONAL.	Airway Hyperresponsiveness,Hypersensitivity, Respiratory,Airway Hyper-Responsiveness,Airway Hyper Responsiveness,Airway Hyperresponsivenesses,Hyper-Responsiveness, Airway,Hyperresponsiveness, Airway,Respiratory Hypersensitivities
D012143	Respiratory Physiological Phenomena	Physiological processes and properties of the RESPIRATORY SYSTEM as a whole or of any of its parts.	Respiratory Physiologic Processes,Respiratory Physiological Processes,Respiratory Physiology,Physiology, Respiratory,Pulmonary Physiological Phenomena,Pulmonary Physiological Phenomenon,Pulmonary Physiological Process,Pulmonary Physiological Processes,Respiratory Physiological Concepts,Respiratory Physiological Phenomenon,Respiratory Physiological Process,Concept, Respiratory Physiological,Concepts, Respiratory Physiological,Phenomena, Pulmonary Physiological,Phenomena, Respiratory Physiological,Phenomenas, Pulmonary Physiological,Phenomenas, Respiratory Physiological,Phenomenon, Pulmonary Physiological,Phenomenon, Respiratory Physiological,Phenomenons, Pulmonary Physiological,Phenomenons, Respiratory Physiological,Physiologic Processes, Respiratory,Physiological Concept, Respiratory,Physiological Concepts, Respiratory,Physiological Phenomena, Pulmonary,Physiological Phenomena, Respiratory,Physiological Phenomenas, Pulmonary,Physiological Phenomenas, Respiratory,Physiological Phenomenon, Pulmonary,Physiological Phenomenon, Respiratory,Physiological Phenomenons, Pulmonary,Physiological Phenomenons, Respiratory,Physiological Process, Pulmonary,Physiological Process, Respiratory,Physiological Processes, Pulmonary,Physiological Processes, Respiratory,Process, Pulmonary Physiological,Process, Respiratory Physiological,Processes, Pulmonary Physiological,Pulmonary Physiological Phenomenas,Pulmonary Physiological Phenomenons,Respiratory Physiological Concept,Respiratory Physiological Phenomenas,Respiratory Physiological Phenomenons
D001980	Bronchi	The larger air passages of the lungs arising from the terminal bifurcation of the TRACHEA. They include the largest two primary bronchi which branch out into secondary bronchi, and tertiary bronchi which extend into BRONCHIOLES and PULMONARY ALVEOLI.	Primary Bronchi,Primary Bronchus,Secondary Bronchi,Secondary Bronchus,Tertiary Bronchi,Tertiary Bronchus,Bronchi, Primary,Bronchi, Secondary,Bronchi, Tertiary,Bronchus,Bronchus, Primary,Bronchus, Secondary,Bronchus, Tertiary
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
D004594	Electrophysiology	The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.