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Review
. 2018:1067:373-385.
doi: 10.1007/5584_2017_106.

New Insights in Cardiac Calcium Handling and Excitation-Contraction Coupling

Jessica Gambardella  1   2 , Bruno Trimarco  1 , Guido Iaccarino  2 , Gaetano Santulli  3   4
Affiliations
Review

New Insights in Cardiac Calcium Handling and Excitation-Contraction Coupling

Jessica Gambardella et al. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2018.

Abstract

Excitation-contraction (EC) coupling denotes the conversion of electric stimulus in mechanic output in contractile cells. Several studies have demonstrated that calcium (Ca2+) plays a pivotal role in this process. Here we present a comprehensive and updated description of the main systems involved in cardiac Ca2+ handling that ensure a functional EC coupling and their pathological alterations, mainly related to heart failure.

Keywords: Calcium; Contraction; Heart Failure; Mitochondria; RyR; SerCa.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Role of Ca2+ in excitation-contraction coupling in cardiomyocyte. Ca2+: calcium; cal: calmodulin; CaMK: Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase; CICR: Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release; Epac: exchange protein directly activated by cAMP; IP3R: inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor; MCU: mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter; PKA: Protein Kinase A; RyR2: Type 2 ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release channel
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mechanistic role of Ca2+ in the relaxation phase. Ca2+: calcium; MCU: mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter; Na+: sodium; RyR2: Type 2 ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release channel; SERCA: sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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