Abstract
Action potential stimulation of skeletal muscle fibers activates the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), thus leading to a fast and transient change in myoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). Until very recently these calcium transients have been only recorded by means of space averaging photodetectors, such as photomultipliers and photodiodes, in combination with the use of several intracellular calcium indicators1–8. The high frequency response exhibited by this kind of photodevices is ideal to track the fast calcium transients, characteristic of the muscle cells; however, their physical construction make them inherently unable to provide information about the topological distribution of the release process. Given the structural complexity of the muscle cells, it is possible that the limited knowledge gained so far has omitted important features of this physiological process. In an attempt to surmount these limitations we have adapted video microscopy techniques to perform rapid Ca2+-imaging in this preparation9. This has been a difficult task because the muscle fiber is a thick specimen (100–150 µm in diameter) able to undergo very fast changes in shape and volume as a consequence of its electrical activation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Miledi, R., I. Parker, and G. Schalow. 1977. Measurement of calcium transients in frog muscle by the use of arsenazoIII. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B. 198: 201–210.
Blinks, J.R.; Rudel, R.; and Taylor, S.R. 1978. Calcium transients in isolated amphibian muscle fibers: detection with aequorin. Journal of Physiology. 277:291–323.
Baylor, S.M.; W.K. Chandler; and M.W. Marshall. 1982. Use of metallochromic dyes to measure changes in myoplasmic calcium during activity in frog skeletal muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology. 331: 39–177.
Palade, P. and J. Vergara. 1982. Arsenazo III and antipyrylazo III calcium transients in single skeletal muscle fibers. Journal of General Physiology. 79:679–707.
Kovacz, L., E. Rios, and M.F. Schneider. 1983. Measurements and modification of free calcium transients in frog skeletal muscle fibers by a metallochromic indicator dye. Journal of Physiology. 343: 161–196.
Vergara, J. and Delay, M. 1986. A transmission delay and the effect of temperature at the triadic junction of skeletal muscle. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B. 229: 97–110.
Baylor, S.M.; and Hollingworth, S. 1988. Fura-2 calcium transients in frog skeletal muscle fibres. Journal of Physiology. 403: 151–192.
Hirota, A.; Chandler W.K.; Southwick, P.L.; and Waggoner, A.S. 1989. Journal of General Physiology. 94: 597–631.
Vergara, J., DiFranco, M., Compagnon, D., and Suarez-Isla, B.A. 1991. Imaging of calcium transients in skeletal muscle fibers. Biophysical Journal. 59: 12–24.
Grynkiewicz, G.; M. Poenie and R. Y. Tsien. 1985. A new generation of Ca2+ indicators with greatly improved fluorescence properties. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 260: 3440–3450.
Kao, J. P. Y.; A. T. Harootunian and R. Y. Tsien. 1989. Photochemically generated cytosolic calcium pulses and their detection by fluo-3. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 264: 8179–8184.
Minta, A.; Kao, J.P.Y.; and Tsien, R.Y. 1989. Fluorescent indicators for cytosolic calcium based on rhodamine and fluorescein chromophores. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 264: 8171–8178.
Vergara, J.; F. Bezanilla and B. M. Salzberg. 1978. Nile blue fluorescence signals from cut single muscle fibers under voltage or current clamp conditions. Journal of General Physiology. 72: 775–800.
Heiny, J. and J. Vergara. 1982. Optical signals from the surface and T-system membranes in skeletal muscle fibers. Journal of General Physiology. 80: 203–230.
Hille, B. and D. T. Campbell. 1976. An improved vaseline-gap voltage-clamp for skeletal muscle fibers. Journal of General Physiology. 67: 265–293.
Alvarez-Leefmans, F. J., Rink, T. J. and Tsien, R. Y. 1981. Free calcium ions in neurons of Helix Aspersa measured with ion-selective microelectrodes. Journal of Physiol. 315. 531–548.
Lopez, J. R., Alamo, L., Caputo, C, Dipolo, R., and Vergara, J. 1983. Determination of ionic calcium in frog skeletal muscle fibers. Biophysical Journal. 43: 1–4.
Simon, W., Amman, D., Oehme, M., and Morf, W.E. 1978. Calcium selective electrodes. Anna. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 307: 52–70.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Vergara, J., DiFranco, M. (1992). Imaging of Calcium Transients During Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Skeletal Muscle Fibers. In: Frank, G.B., Bianchi, C.P., ter Keurs, H.E.D.J. (eds) Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Skeletal, Cardiac, and Smooth Muscle. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 311. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3362-7_16
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3362-7_16
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6483-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-3362-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive