RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Dynamic Imaging in Living Cells: Windows into Local Signaling
JF Science's STKE
JO Sci. STKE
FD American Association for the Advancement of Science
SP pe13
OP pe13
DO 10.1126/stke.2003.177.pe13
VO 2003
IS 177
A1 Bers, Donald M.
YR 2003
UL http://stke.sciencemag.org/content/2003/177/pe13.abstract
AB Highly localized changes in intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i play a critical role in regulating numerous cellular functions, ranging from muscle contraction to neurotransmitter and hormone secretion to gene transcription. Fluorescent Ca2+ indicators have been invaluable tools in elucidating the role of localized changes in [Ca2+]i in regulating ion channels and other key proteins in various signaling pathways. Other techniques used to investigate localized changes in [Ca2+]i include approaches based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and electrophysiological measurements of ionic flux through Ca2+-sensitive channels. This Perspective discusses research using fluorescent Ca2+ indicators to study excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac myocytes, presenting both key findings and limitations of this approach. Complementary approaches useful in studying localized changes in Ca2+ and other second messengers (such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate) are also discussed.