Biomaterial Database

The modulation and characterisation of the Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release mechanism in cultured human myometrial smooth muscle cells. 1995

J M Morgan, and J I Gillespie

Department of Physiological Sciences, Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

The process of Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) was studied in saponin permeabilised human myometrial smooth muscle cells in which the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was pre-loaded with 45Ca2+. A rise in the free Ca2+ concentration of the bathing solution from 100 nM to 10 microM increased the rate of 45Ca2+ loss, while a reduction to 10 nM decreased the rate of 45Ca2+ loss. Ruthenium red (20 microM) lowered the basal rate of 45Ca2+ loss and reduced CICR. Caffeine did not activate 45Ca2+ release although ryanodine induced 45Ca2+ release and CICR was augmented in the presence of caffeine. These data suggest the operation of a Ca(2+)-activated 45Ca2+ release process which is similar in many of its properties to the CICR process described in many cells. The basic properties of the CICR mechanism in myometrium differs in many respects from the CICR process recently described in human vascular smooth muscle.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009215	Myometrium	The smooth muscle coat of the uterus, which forms the main mass of the organ.	Uterine Muscle,Muscle, Uterine,Muscles, Uterine,Uterine Muscles
D002110	Caffeine	A methylxanthine naturally occurring in some beverages and also used as a pharmacological agent. Caffeine's most notable pharmacological effect is as a central nervous system stimulant, increasing alertness and producing agitation. It also relaxes SMOOTH MUSCLE, stimulates CARDIAC MUSCLE, stimulates DIURESIS, and appears to be useful in the treatment of some types of headache. Several cellular actions of caffeine have been observed, but it is not entirely clear how each contributes to its pharmacological profile. Among the most important are inhibition of cyclic nucleotide PHOSPHODIESTERASES, antagonism of ADENOSINE RECEPTORS, and modulation of intracellular calcium handling.	1,3,7-Trimethylxanthine,Caffedrine,Coffeinum N,Coffeinum Purrum,Dexitac,Durvitan,No Doz,Percoffedrinol N,Percutaféine,Quick-Pep,Vivarin,Quick Pep,QuickPep
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
D002463	Cell Membrane Permeability	A quality of cell membranes which permits the passage of solvents and solutes into and out of cells.	Permeability, Cell Membrane
D002478	Cells, Cultured	Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.	Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D012430	Ruthenium Red	An inorganic dye used in microscopy for differential staining and as a diagnostic reagent. In research this compound is used to study changes in cytoplasmic concentrations of calcium. Ruthenium red inhibits calcium transport through membrane channels.	Ammoniated Ruthenium Oxychloride,Oxychloride, Ammoniated Ruthenium,Red, Ruthenium,Ruthenium Oxychloride, Ammoniated
D012433	Ryanodine	A methylpyrrole-carboxylate from RYANIA that disrupts the RYANODINE RECEPTOR CALCIUM RELEASE CHANNEL to modify CALCIUM release from SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM resulting in alteration of MUSCLE CONTRACTION. It was previously used in INSECTICIDES. It is used experimentally in conjunction with THAPSIGARGIN and other inhibitors of CALCIUM ATPASE uptake of calcium into SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM.