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Optimal ion channel clustering for intracellular calcium signaling

2003; National Academy of Sciences; Volume: 100; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1073/pnas.0236032100

1091-6490

Jianwei Shuai, Peter Jung,

Ion channel regulation and function

Ion channels and receptors in the cell membranes and internal membranes are often distributed in discrete clusters. One particularly well-studied example is the distribution of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors in the plasma membrane that controls the flux of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum into the cytosol. By using mathematical modeling, we show that channel clustering can enhance the cell's Ca2+ signaling capability. Furthermore, we predict optimal signaling cellular capability at cluster sizes and distances that agree with experimentally found values in Xenopus oocyte.