Crosstalk between cellular morphology and calcium oscillation patterns. Insights from a stochastic computer model

Cell Calcium. 1996 Jun;19(6):461-72. doi: 10.1016/s0143-4160(96)90055-x.

Abstract

Agonist-induced oscillations in the concentration of intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) display a wide variety of temporal and spatial patterns. In non-excitable cells, typical oscillatory patterns are somewhat cell-type specific and range from frequency-encoded, repetitive Ca2+ spikes to oscillations that are more sinusoidal in shape. Although the response of a cell population, even to the same stimulus, is often extremely heterogeneous, the response of the same cell to successive exposures can be remarkably similar. We propose that such "Ca2+ fingerprints' can be a consequence of cell-specific morphological properties. The hypothesis is tested by means of a stochastic computer simulation of a two-dimensional model for oscillatory Ca2+ waves which encompasses the basic elements of the two-pool oscillator introduced by Goldbeter et al. (Goldbeter A., Dupont G., Berridge M.J. Minimal model for signal-induced Ca(2+)-oscillations and for their frequency encoding through protein phosphorylation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1990; 87: 1461-1465). In the framework of our extended spatiotemporal model, single cells can display various oscillation patterns which depend on the agonist dose, Ca2+ diffusibility, and several morphological parameters. These are, for example, size and shape of the cell and the cell nucleus, the amount and distribution of Ca2+ stores, and the subcellular location of the inositol(1,4,5)-trisphosphate-generating apparatus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Clocks / physiology*
  • Calcium / chemistry
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / physiology
  • Cell Size / physiology
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Computer Simulation
  • Diffusion
  • Extracellular Space / metabolism
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate / agonists
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Second Messenger Systems / physiology*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stochastic Processes
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate
  • Calcium