A model-independent algorithm to derive Ca2+ fluxes underlying local cytosolic Ca2+ transients

Local intracellular Ca2+ signals result from Ca2+ flux into the cytosol through individual channels or clusters of channels. To gain a mechanistic understanding of these events we need to know the magnitude and spatial distribution of the underlying Ca2+ flux. However, this is difficult to infer fro...

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Autores principales: Ventura, A.C., Bruno, L., Demuro, A., Parker, I., Dawson, S.P.
Formato: Artículo publishedVersion
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2005
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Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12110/paper_00063495_v88_n4_p2403_Ventura
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Sumario:Local intracellular Ca2+ signals result from Ca2+ flux into the cytosol through individual channels or clusters of channels. To gain a mechanistic understanding of these events we need to know the magnitude and spatial distribution of the underlying Ca2+ flux. However, this is difficult to infer from fluorescence Ca2+ images because the distribution of Ca2+-bound dye is affected by poorly characterized processes including diffusion of Ca2+ ions, their binding to mobile and immobile buffers, and sequestration by Ca2+ pumps. Several methods have previously been proposed to derive Ca2+ flux from fluorescence images, but all require explicit knowledge or assumptions regarding these processes. We now present a novel algorithm that requires few assumptions and is largely model-independent. By testing the algorithm with both numerically generated image data and experimental images of sparklets resulting from Ca2+ flux through individual voltage-gated channels, we show that it satisfactorily reconstructs the magnitude and time course of the underlying Ca2+ currents. © 2005 by the Biophysical Society.