Abstract
The transverse tubules (t-tubules) of mammalian cardiac ventricular
myocytes are invaginations of the surface membrane. Recent studies
have suggested that the structure and function of the t-tubules are
more complex than previously believed; in particular, many of the
proteins involved in cellular Ca$^2+$ cycling appear to be concentrated
at the t-tubule. Thus, the t-tubules are an important determinant
of cardiac cell function, especially as the main site of excitation-contraction
coupling, ensuring spatially and temporally synchronous Ca$^2+$
release throughout the cell. Changes in t-tubule structure and protein
expression occur during development and in heart failure, so that
changes in the t-tubules may contribute to the functional changes
observed in these conditions. The purpose of this review is to provide
an overview of recent studies of t-tubule structure and function
in cardiac myocytes.
- 12805236
- animals,
- atpase,
- calcium,
- capacitance,
- cardiac,
- cardiomegaly,
- cell
- cells,
- comparative
- congestive,
- cultured,
- distribution,
- electric
- failure,
- gov't,
- guinea
- heart
- heart,
- humans,
- ion
- mammals,
- membrane
- mice,
- myocytes,
- non-u.s.
- p.h.s.,
- pigs,
- potentials,
- proteins,
- rabbits,
- rats,
- research
- sarcolemma,
- signal
- size,
- sodium,
- study,
- support,
- swine,
- tissue
- transduction,
- transport,
- u.s.
- ventricles,
- {n}a$^{+}$-{k}$^{+}$-exchanging
Users
Please
log in to take part in the discussion (add own reviews or comments).