Elevated cytosolic free calcium (Ca(i)) and reciprocally reduced, extracellular ionized calcium (Ca-ion) levels are observed in both hypertension and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Because the changes of vascular function and insulin sensitivity in these conditions resemble the changes associated with "normal" aging, we wondered to what extent similar alterations in calcium me...

The calcium ion is one of the most versatile biological signaling molecules, known to regulate physiological systems at every level from membrane potential and ion transporters to kinases, transcription factors, and even cell morphology. It is also one of the most universal and ancient of cellular signals. A diverse host of diseases, importantly including a number of rare syndromes that include...

The activity of calcium in plaque fluid is needed to calculate the saturation level of that fluid relative to the tooth mineral. One method to determine the calcium activity in very small plaque fluid samples is by micro ion-selective electrode (ISE). Two commercially available calcium ionophores, a neutral-carrier and a charged-carrier, were evaluated in micro ISEs and compared to a commercial...

Liposome encapsulation technology has been used to entrap aqueous calcium salts within dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine lipid vesicles, which were then used to form calcium phosphate minerals. The calcium encapsulation efficiency was found to depend upon a number of factors that included calcium salt concentration, vesicle size, lipid concentration, and method of vesicle preparation. Removal of u...

Muscle contraction is activated by two distinct mechanisms. One depends on the calcium influx, and the other is calcium-independent and activated by mechanical stress. A prototypical example of stretch activation is observed in insect muscles. In Lethocerus, a model system ideally suited for studying stretch activation, the two mechanisms seem to be under the control of different isoforms of tr...

We designed a novel multifunctional β-sheet peptide template for calcium carbonate mineralization. The template self-supplies the mineral source, a carbonate ion, by hydrolysis of urea, and regulates the crystal phase and morphology of the obtained calcium carbonate.

The enteric nervous system arises from neural crest-derived cells (ENCCs) that migrate caudally along the embryonic gut. The expression of ion channels by ENCCs in embryonic mice was investigated using a PCR-based array, RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Many ion channels, including chloride, calcium, potassium and sodium channels were already expressed by ENCCs at E11.5. There was an increase i...

1. Abstract 2. Introduction 3. Morphological basis for postsynaptic calcium microdomains: dendritic spines 4. Organization of calcium signaling complexes in dendritic spines 4.1. Mechanisms of calcium influx in spines 4.1.1. Neurotransmitter-gated ion channels: NMDA receptors 4.1.2. Voltage-dependent calcium channel complexes 4.1.3. IP3 receptor complexes 4.2. Mechanisms of calcium removal from...

The calcium ion is the most universal and widely studied vector of chemical signals in living cells. Its presence and dynamic distribution in diverse organelles are associated with various functions, which include controlling protein expression and activity in response to functional demands. Calcium's role was first investigated in striated muscles, where it regulates contractile force. Muscles...