Abstract
We have developed a quantitative model for the creation of cytoplasmic Ca 2 + gradients near the inner surface of the plasma membrane (PM). In particular we simulated the refilling of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) via PM–SR junctions during asynchronous [ Ca 2 + ] i oscillations in smooth muscle cells of the rabbit inferior vena cava. We have combined confocal microscopy data on the [ Ca 2 + ] i oscillations, force transduction data from cell contraction studies and electron microscopic images to build a basis for computational simulations that model the transport of calcium ions from Na + / Ca 2 + exchangers (NCX) on the PM to sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2 + ATPase (SERCA) pumps on the SR as a three-dimensional random walk through the PM–SR junctional cytoplasmic spaces. Electron microscopic ultrastructural images of the smooth muscle cells were elaborated with software algorithms to produce a very clear and dimensionally accurate picture of the PM–SR junctions. From this study, we conclude that it is plausible and possible for enough Ca 2 + to pass through the PM–SR junctions to replete the SR during the regenerative Ca 2 + release, which underlies agonist induced asynchronous Ca 2 + oscillations in vascular smooth muscle.
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