Basics of muscle contraction
• Calcium regulation is vital
• In smooth muscle, the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration is ~ 0.1 mM in basal
state; ~ 10,000 times lower than that present in the extracellular space (mM)
• Activation of cells induces an increase in cytosolic concentration up to ~1-10
mM.
• Ca2+ diffuses in cell much more slowly than predicted from its small volume;
Ca2+ atom migrate 0.1-0.5 mm, lasting only ~ 50 ms before being bound.
• Ca2+ used by different vasoactive agents comes from extracellular and/or
intracellular space.
• Intracellular Ca2+ is localized in the mitochondria and SR
• Location is most important