动态IP3－Ca2+振荡模型的数值分析

通过改进J.W.Shuai和P.Jung钙振荡模型,得到与IP3浓度相关的动态IP3-Ca^2＋振荡模型.利用改进模型,数值分析依赖性参数λ和钙通道数目N对Ca^2＋振荡的影响,得到Ca^2＋振荡关于参数λ的分叉图、Ca^2＋振荡与IP3振荡的一致性、钙通道数目N对Ca^2＋振荡的影响等.这些模型结果显示了Ca^2＋振荡的特性.     

库容性Ca2+内流参与ACh诱导的大鼠远端结肠平滑肌收缩

应用生物换能技术和Ca^2＋通道特异性阻断剂观察并记录大鼠离体远端结肠平滑肌收缩张力的变化,分析库容性Ca^2＋内流（capacitative Ca^2＋ entry,CCE）是否与ACh诱导的离体远端结肠平滑肌收缩反应有关。结果表明,以无钙的Krebs液灌流或应用EGTA螯合细胞外Ca^2＋后,高K^＋及ACh引起的远端结肠平滑肌收缩几乎完全消失。电压操纵性Ca^2＋通道阻断剂verapamil也能减弱高K^＋及ACh引起的远端结肠平滑肌收缩,其减弱的程度分别为74％和41％。在无钙的Krebs液中,5μmol／LACh可引起离体肠管瞬时性收缩,这是由肌质网（sarcoplasmic reticulum,SR）释放钙所致：然后加入10μmol／L阿托品（atropine）,并在此基础上恢复细胞外Ca^2＋（2．5mmol／L）,结肠平滑肌则出现持续性收缩,待收缩反应达峰值时,加入5μmol／L verapamil,收缩无明显变化,且该收缩反应对钙库操纵性通道（store-operated Ca^2＋ channel,socc）阻断剂La^3＋敏感,20,50和100μmol／L的La^3＋使上述收缩张力分别降低15％,23％和36％,且呈浓度依赖性,但对Cd^2＋不敏感。研究结果提示,细胞外Ca^2＋内流对高K^＋及ACh介导的离体远端结肠平滑肌持续性收缩是必需的,由ACh诱导的远端结肠平滑肌收缩至少包括SR释放钙引起的短暂性收缩及受体操纵性Ca^2＋通道（receptor-operated Ca^2＋ channel,ROCC）、电压操纵性Ca^2＋通道（voltage-operated Ca^2＋ channel,VOCC）和CCE介导的胞外Ca^2＋ 内流等途径。这将从通道水平进一步分析消化管平滑肌收缩的机制和特征,亦将为预防和控制因胃肠动力紊乱所致的消化管疾病寻求有针对性的药物干预和治疗提供理论依据。     

荒漠条件下甘草气孔振荡的水被动证据

生长在中国西北干旱荒漠的甘草（Glycyrrhiza inflata Batalin),当白天大气水蒸汽压差（ＶＰＤ）高于１kPa时,其气孔导度随时间的变化趋势为从稳态转为振荡态。通过茎木质部注射代谢抑制剂（ＮaN3或羰基氰化物－间－氯苯腙（ＣＣＣＰ）使气孔导度有些微降低,但是并不能显改变气孔振荡强度（振幅／平均值）。气孔振荡强度与ＶＰＤ和根阻力显相关,但与呼吸速度无明显相关,在荒漠条件下,当ＶＰＤ大于０．８kPa和至少存在１／４全根阻力的条件下才能出现气孔振荡。结果说明荒漠干旱条件诱发的甘草气孔振荡可能主要是一种水被动过程 。     

兴奋-收缩偶联中DHPR与RyR的相互作用

兴奋-收缩偶联（E—C coupling）依赖纽胞膜二氢吡啶受体（DHPR）／L型电压门控Ca^2＋通道和肌浆网兰诺定受体（RyR）／Ca^2＋释放通道的相互作用。在骨骼肌细胞中,DHPR与RyRl在结构上二机械偶联,不依赖细胞外Ca^2＋即可激活RyRl;在心肌细胞中,去极化激活DHPR,细胞外Ca^2＋内流,内流的Ca^2＋通过钙诱导钙释放（CICR）机制激活RyR2。最近的研究表明,DHPR与RyR之间的信号转导通常是双向的。DHPR与RyR机械和化学的双向偶联机制调节这两种Ca^2＋通道的效率、精确度和活性。     

持续癫痫样放电导致海马神经元钙离子动力学变化的研究

目的：研究低镁介质致痫的培养海马神经元癫痫模型中神经元内游离钙离子（[Ca^2＋]i）的时空分布及其动力学改变,以探讨钙离子在癫痫发病过程中的作用。方法：联合应用共聚焦激光扫描显微镜和膜片钳,运用较高时间分辨率动态观察培养海马神经元癫痫模型[Ca^2＋]i和电生理变化,以及化学门控钙离子通道阻滞剂的影响。结果：致痫后海马神经元胞浆和核内游离钙离子迅速上升到（612±65）nmol／L和（620±69）nmol／L水平,NMDA受体阻断剂MK-801（10μmol／L）和非NMDA受体阻断剂NBQX（10μmol／L）可使[Ca^2＋]i的升高明显减少;升高的[Ca^2＋]i恢复有明显的延迟现象,90min和150min癫痫样放电后[Ca^2＋]i恢复的时间分别为（114．8±5．2）和（135．0±22．7）（P〈0．05）。结论：持续的癫痫样放电可导致海马神经元细胞内钙超载,这个效应可被MK-801阻断,化学门控钙离子通道也参与了细胞外Ca^2＋内流的过程。     

腺苷减少豚鼠心室肌细胞内游离钙浓度

目的：研究腺苷对豚鼠心室肌细胞内游离钙浓度（[Ca^2＋]i）的影响并探讨其可能机制。方法：用激光共聚焦显微镜探测细胞内游离钙浓度,结果用相对荧光强度（（FI-FI0）／FI0,％;FI0：对照;FI：给药）表示。结果：①在正常台氏液和无钙台氏液中,腺苷（10,50,100μmol／L）浓度依赖性地降低[Ca^2＋];。②含30mmol／L KCl的台氏液（高钾台氏液）能够增加[Ca^2＋]i。腺苷（10,50,100μmol／L）能够显著抑制KCl引起的[Ca^2＋]i的增加。③预先应用选择性腺苷AI受体拮抗剂DPCPX（1μmol／L）,可大部分取消腺苷（100μmol／L）在高钾台氏液中的作用。腺苷（100μmol／L）在高钾台氏液的作用也可被预先应用一氧化氮（No）合酶抑制剂L-NAME（1mmol／L）所部分减弱。④腺苷（100μmol／L）能明显抑制无钙台氏液中由低浓度ryanodine引起的[Ca^2＋];增加。⑤当细胞外液钙浓度由1mmol／L增加到10mmol／L而诱发心室肌细胞钙超载时,部分心室肌细胞产生可传播的钙波,腺苷（100μmol／L）可降低钙波发生的频率和持续时间,最终阻断钙波并降低[Ca^2＋];。结论：腺苷可通过抑制外钙内流和减少肌浆网内钙释放从而降低[Ca^2＋],其减少外钙内流可能是由于腺苷A1受体介导的电压依赖性Ca^2＋通道的抑制,NO可能参与这一过程。     

Ca^2＋参与茉莉酸诱导蚕豆气孔关闭的信号转导

以Fluo-3 AM为Ca^2＋荧光探针,结合激光共聚焦扫描显微技术,观察到在处理后数十秒内,气孔关闭之前,茉莉酸（JA）可引起[Ca^2＋]cyt的迅速上升;对照和JA的前体物亚麻酸（LA）几乎不能引起[Ca^2＋]cyt的明显变化;钙的螯合剂EGTA预处理可完全阻断JA诱导气孔关闭的效应,并且JA不再引起保卫细胞[Ca^2＋]cyt增加;质膜Cah通道的抑制剂硝苯吡啶（nifedipine,NIF）可减弱JA诱导气孔关闭的效应,也使JA诱导保卫细胞[Ca^2＋]cyt增加的幅度有所下降;胞内Ca^2＋释放的抑制剂钌红不能明显改变JA诱导气孔关闲的趋势,但使JA引起的保卫细胞[Ca^2＋]cyt增加有所降低。实验结果表明：Ca^2＋参与JA诱导气孔关闭的信号转导;推测JA引起的[Ca^2＋]cyt升高可能主要来源于胞外,但不能完全排除胞内Ca^2＋的释放。     

大黄素影响巨噬细胞升高[Ca2+]i 和释放TNF-α的作用特征

为了研究大黄素（emodin)对正常的和细菌脂多糖（LPS）刺激的大鼠腹腔巨噬细胞（PMφ）释放肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF－α）和升高[Ca^2 ]i的影响,应用L929细胞系和MTT法检测TNF－α量,同时用激光共焦扫描显微术检测单细胞[Ca^2 ]i变化动力学。结果显示大黄素能轻度促进正常PMφ释放TNF－α,并发现大黄素诱发PMφ[Ca^2 ]i变化呈振荡波模式。大黄紫显著抑制LPS刺激PMφ过度释放TNF－α和升高[Ca^2 ]i,10^-5mol/L大黄素抑制了10mg/L LPS刺激的TNF－α峰值的50％和[Ca^2 ]i峰值的68％。LPS诱发MPφ[Ca^2 ]i变化呈现高幅值的“平台期”,大黄素使之转变为低幅值的波动变化。以上结果说明,大黄素对PMφ释放TNF－α和升高[Ca^2 ]i表现出的双向调节作用之间有一定的相关性,大黄素对LPS诱发的[Ca^2 ]i升高的调制,可能是抑制LPS刺激PMφ释放TNF－α的信号传导通路中的重要环节。     

Ca2+对骨骼肌钙释放通道的调节

钙释放通道（calcium release channel）又称Ryanodine受体（RyR）,是细胞内质网膜上介导细胞内钙信号转导的离子通道。RyR1在骨骼肌细胞的兴奋-收缩偶联过程中起重要作用,是肌质网快速释放Ca^2＋的通道。许多调节因素,如一些内源性蛋白（FK结合蛋白、钙调素、钙结合蛋白）和一些离子（Ca^2＋、Mg^2＋）,通过不同的作用位点与RyR1结合,调控RyR1的结构与功能。研究表明,Ca^2＋是众多调节RyR1因素中的核心成分和前提条件,其对RyR1的结构与功能有重要的调控作用。     

乙酰胆碱不依赖NO的释放引起耳蜗螺旋动脉平滑肌细胞的超极化

目的：乙酰胆碱（ACh）不仅是神经递质,也是一种有效的血管舒张物质参与许多血管床的调节活动。本实验观察ACh引起耳蜗螺旋动脉平滑肌细胞超极化的离子机制以及NO在超极化反应中的可能作用。方法：在豚鼠离体耳蜗螺旋动脉标本上,运用细胞内微电极技术记录外源性的ACh引起的反应。结果：在保持灌流液中含有5mmol／L K^＋以及最小纵向张力的情况下,ACh（0．1—10μmol／L）引起低静息膜电位细胞明显的超极化反应,而引起高静息膜电位细胞明显的去极化反应。ACh引起的平滑肌细胞超极化反应是浓度依赖性的（ACh的浓度是1μmol／L和10／μmol／L时,分别引起超极化的幅度是22和30mV,n=7）。ACh引起的超极化反应能被阿托品（atropine,0．1～1μmol／L,n=6）或DAMP（50～100nmol／L,n=6,一种选择性的地受体的拮抗剂）所阻断,同时也可被BAPTA—AM（10μmol／L,n=7,一种可通过细胞膜的Ca^2＋螯合剂）或eharybdotoxin＋apamin（50-100nmol／L,n=4,两种Ca^2＋激活K^＋通道的阻断剂）所阻断,但是Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester（L-NAME,300μmol／L,n=8,一种NO合成酶的完全抑制剂,n≥5）或glipizide（10μmol／L,ATP敏感性的K^＋通道阻断剂,n=4）或indomethacin（10μmol／L,环氧合酶的抑制剂,n=4）不能阻断ACh引起的超极化反应。结论：ACh通过激活内皮细胞的M3受体,开放钙依赖的钾通道．进而引起耳蜗螺旋动脉平滑肌细胞产生超极化反应,并且这一超极化反应与内皮细胞NO的产生和释放无关。     

Effects of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-mediated intracellular stochastic calcium oscillations on activation of glycogen phosphorylase

In various cell types cytosolic calcium (Ca(2+)) is an important regulator. The possible role of Ca(2+) release from the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) receptor channel in the regulation of the phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycle process involved in glycogen degradation by glycogen phosphorylase have theoretically investigated by using the Li-Rinzel model for cytosolic Ca(2+) oscillations. For the case of deterministic cytosolic Ca(2+) oscillations, there exists an optimal frequency of cytosolic Ca(2+) oscillations at which the average fraction of active glycogen phosphorylase reaches a maximum value, and a mutation for the average fraction of active glycogen phosphorylase occurs at the higher bifurcation point of Ca(2+) oscillations. For the case of stochastic cytosolic Ca(2+) oscillations, the fraction of active phosphorylase is strongly affected by the number of IP(3) receptor channels and the level of IP(3) concentration. Small number of IP(3) receptor channels can potentiate the sensitivity of the activity of glycogen phosphorylase. The average frequency and amplitude of active phosphorylase stochastic oscillations are increased with the level of increasing IP(3) stimuli. The various distributions for the amplitude of active glycogen phosphorylase oscillations in parameters plane are discussed.     

Perturbation of myo-inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate levels during agonist-induced Ca2+ oscillations.

Agonist-induced Ca2+ oscillations in rat hepatocytes involve the production of myo-inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), which stimulates the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. The oscillatory frequency is conditioned by the agonist concentration. This study investigated the role of IP3 concentration in the modulation of oscillatory frequency by using microinjected photolabile IP3 analogs. Photorelease of IP3 during hormone-induced oscillations evoked a Ca2+ spike, after which oscillations resumed with a delay corresponding to the period set by the agonists. IP3 photorelease had no influence on the frequency of oscillations. After photorelease of 1-(alpha-glycerophosphoryl)-D-myo-inositol-4,5-diphosphate (GPIP2), a slowly metabolized IP3 analog, the frequency of oscillations initially increased by 34% and declined to its original level within approximately 6 min. Both IP3 and GPIP2 effects can be explained by their rate of degradation: the half-life of IP3, which is a few seconds, can account for the lack of influence of IP3 photorelease on the frequency, whereas the slower metabolism of GPIP2 allowed a transient acceleration of the oscillations. The phase shift introduced by IP3 is likely the result of the brief elevation of Ca2+ during spiking that resets the IP3 receptor to a state of maximum inactivation. A mathematical model of Ca2+ oscillations is in satisfactory agreement with the observed results.     

Role of Ca(2+)-ATPase in spontaneous oscillations of cytosolic free Ca2+ in GH3 rat pituitary cells.

The relative contribution of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels, Ca(2+)-ATPases, and Ca2+ release from intracellular stores to spontaneous oscillations in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) observed in secretory cells is not well characterized owing to a lack of specific inhibitors for a novel thapsigargin (Tg)-insensitive Ca(2+)-ATPase expressed in these cells. We show that spontaneous [Ca2+]i oscillations in GH3 cells were unaffected by Ca2+ depletion in inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-sensitive Ca2+ stores by the treatment of Tg, but could be initiated by application of caffeine. Moreover, we demonstrate for the first time that these spontaneous [Ca2+]i oscillations were highly temperature dependent. Decreasing the temperature from 22 to 17 degrees C resulted in an increase in the frequency, a reduction in the amplitude, and large inhibition of [Ca2+]i oscillations. Furthermore, the rate of ATP-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake into GH3-derived microsomes was greatly reduced at 17 degrees C. The effect of decreased temperatures on extracellular Ca2+ influx was minor because the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous action potentials, which activate L-type Ca2+ channels, was relatively unchanged at 17 degrees C. These results suggest that in GH3 secretory cells, Ca2+ influx via L-type Ca2+ channels initiates spontaneous [Ca2+]i oscillations, which are then maintained by the combined activity of Ca(2+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release from Tg/IP3-insensitive intracellular stores.     

Isoforms of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor are expressed in bovine oocytes and ovaries: the type-1 isoform is down-regulated by fertilization and by injection of adenophostin A.

Mammalian fertilization is characterized by the presence of long-lasting intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) oscillations that are required to induce oocyte activation. One of the Ca2+ channels that may mediate this Ca2+ release is the inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate receptor (IP(3)R). Three isoforms of the receptor have been described, but their expression in oocytes and possible roles in mammalian fertilization are not well known. Using isoform-specific antibodies against IP(3)R types 1, 2, and 3 and Western analysis, we determined the isoforms that are expressed in bovine metaphase II oocytes and ovaries. In oocytes, all isoforms are expressed, but type 1 is present in overwhelmingly larger amounts and is likely responsible for the majority of Ca2+ release at fertilization. In ovarian microsomes, all three isoforms appear well expressed, suggesting the participation of all IP(3)R isoforms in ovarian Ca2+ signaling. We then investigated whether the reported cessation/reduction in amplitude of fertilization-associated [Ca2+]i oscillations, which is observed as pronuclear formation approaches, corresponded with down-regulation of the IP(3)R-1 isoform. Fertilization resulted in approximately 40% reduction in the amount of receptor by 16 h postinsemination. In addition, injection of adenophostin A, a potent IP(3)R agonist that elicits high-frequency [Ca2+]i oscillations in mammalian oocytes, induced similar reduction in receptor numbers. Together, these data show that 1) the three IP(3)R isoforms are expressed in bovine oocytes; 2) IP(3)R-1 is likely to mediate most of the Ca2+ release during fertilization; 3) its down-regulation may explain the decline in amplitude of sperm-induced [Ca2+]i rises as fertilization progresses toward pronuclear formation; and 4) agonists of the IP(3)R induce down-regulation of the type-1 receptor in oocytes similar to that evoked by fertilization.     

Dual regulation of calcium mobilization by inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate in a living cell

Changes in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) often take the form of a sustained response or repetitive oscillations. The frequency and amplitude of [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations are essential for the selective stimulation of gene expression and for enzyme activation. However, the mechanism that determines whether [Ca(2+)](i) oscillates at a particular frequency or becomes a sustained response is poorly understood. We find that [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations in rat megakaryocytes, as in other cells, results from a Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3))-induced Ca(2+) release. Moreover, we find that this inhibition becomes progressively less effective with higher IP(3) concentrations. We suggest that disinhibition, by increasing IP(3) concentration, of Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition is a common mechanism for the regulation of [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations in cells containing IP(3)-sensitive Ca(2+) stores.     

Minimal requirements for calcium oscillations driven by the IP3 receptor.

Hormones and neurotransmitters that act through inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) can induce oscillations of cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c), which render dynamic regulation of intracellular targets. Imaging of fluorescent Ca2+ indicators located within intracellular Ca2+ stores was used to monitor IP3 receptor channel (IP3R) function and to demonstrate that IP3-dependent oscillations of Ca2+ release and re-uptake can be reproduced in single permeabilized hepatocytes. This system was used to define the minimum essential components of the oscillation mechanism. With IP3 clamped at a submaximal concentration, coordinated cycles of IP3R activation and subsequent inactivation were observed in each cell. Cycling between these states was dependent on feedback effects of released Ca2+ and the ensuing [Ca2+]c increase, but did not require Ca2+ re-accumulation. [Ca2+]c can act at distinct stimulatory and inhibitory sites on the IP3R, but whereas the Ca2+ release phase was driven by a Ca2+-induced increase in IP3 sensitivity, Ca2+ release could be terminated by intrinsic inactivation after IP3 bound to the Ca2+-sensitized IP3R without occupation of the inhibitory Ca2+-binding site. These findings were confirmed using Sr2+, which only interacts with the stimulatory site. Moreover, vasopressin induced Sr2+ oscillations in intact cells in which intracellular Ca2+ was completely replaced with Sr2+. Thus, [Ca2+]c oscillations can be driven by a coupled process of Ca2+-induced activation and obligatory intrinsic inactivation of the Ca2+-sensitized state of the IP3R, without a requirement for occupation of the inhibitory Ca2+-binding site.     

A single-pool model for intracellular calcium oscillations and waves in the Xenopus laevis oocyte.

We construct a minimal model of cytosolic free Ca2+ oscillations based on Ca2+ release via the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor/Ca2+ channel (IP3R) of a single intracellular Ca2+ pool. The model relies on experimental evidence that the cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) modulates the IP3R in a biphasic manner, with Ca2+ release inhibited by low and high [Ca2+]c and facilitated by intermediate [Ca2+]c, and that channel inactivation occurs on a slower time scale than activation. The model produces [Ca2+]c oscillations at constant [IP3] and reproduces a number of crucial experiments. The two-dimensional spatial model with IP3 dynamics, cytosolic diffusion of IP3 (Dp = 300 microns 2 s-1), and cytosolic diffusion of Ca2+ (Dc = 20 microns 2 s-1) produces circular, planar, and spiral waves of Ca2+ with speeds of 7-15 microns.s-1, which annihilate upon collision. Increasing extracellular [Ca2+] influx increases wave speed and baseline [Ca2+]c. A [Ca2+]c-dependent Ca2+ diffusion coefficient does not alter the qualitative behavior of the model. An important model prediction is that channel inactivation must occur on a slower time scale than activation in order for waves to propagate. The model serves to capture the essential macroscopic mechanisms that are involved in the production of intracellular Ca2+ oscillations and traveling waves in the Xenopus laevis oocyte.     

Modeling of Ca2+ flux in pancreatic beta-cells: role of the plasma membrane and intracellular stores

We have developed a detailed mathematical model of ionic flux in beta-cells that includes the most essential channels and pumps in the plasma membrane. This model is coupled to equations describing Ca2+, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), ATP, and Na+ homeostasis, including the uptake and release of Ca2+ by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In our model, metabolically derived ATP activates inward Ca2+ flux by regulation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels and depolarization of the plasma membrane. Results from the simulations support the hypothesis that intracellular Na+ and Ca2+ in the ER can be the main variables driving both fast (2-7 osc/min) and slow intracellular Ca2+ concentration oscillations (0.3-0.9 osc/min) and that the effect of IP3 on Ca2+ leak from the ER contributes to the pattern of slow calcium oscillations. Simulations also show that filling the ER Ca2+ stores leads to faster electrical bursting and Ca2+ oscillations. Specific Ca2+ oscillations in isolated beta-cell lines can also be simulated.     

IP(3)-induced tension and IP(3)-receptor expression in rat soleus muscle during postnatal development

The present study was designed to examine whether changes in Ca(2+) release by inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) in 8-, 15-, and 30-day-old rat skeletal muscles could be associated with the expression of IP(3) receptors. Experiments were conducted in slow-twitch muscle in which both IP(3)-induced Ca(2+) release and IP(3)-receptor (IP(3)R) expression have been shown to be larger than in fast-twitch muscle. In saponin-skinned fibers, IP(3) induced transient contractile responses in which the amplitude was dependent on the Ca(2+)-loading period with the maximal IP(3) contracture being at 20 min of loading. The IP(3) tension decreased during postnatal development, was partially inhibited by ryanodine (100 microM), and was blocked by heparin (20-400 microg/ml). Amplification of the DNA sequence encoding for IP(3)R isoforms (using the RT-PCR technique) showed that in slow-twitch muscle, the type 2 isoform is mainly expressed, and its level decreases during postnatal development in parallel with changes in IP(3) responses in immature fibers. IP(3)-induced Ca(2+) release would then have greater participation in excitation-contraction coupling in developing fibers than in mature muscle.     

On the role of stochastic channel behavior in intracellular Ca2+ dynamics

I present a stochastic model for intracellular Ca(2+) oscillations. The model starts from stochastic binding and dissociation of Ca(2+) to binding sites on a single subunit of the IP(3)-receptor channel but is capable of simulating large numbers of clusters for many oscillation periods too. I find oscillations with variable periods ranging from 17 s to 120 s and a standard deviation well in the experimentally observed range. Long period oscillations can be perceived as nucleation phenomenon and can be observed for a large variety of single channel dynamics. Their period depends on the geometric characteristics of the cluster array. Short periods are in the range of the time scale of channel dynamics. Both long and short period oscillations occur for parameters with a nonoscillatory deterministic regime.