Role of the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum in Smooth Muscle

Smooth muscle contraction is a vital component of the functioningof blood vessels, the uterus, airways and the bladder. Itsmalfunction can lead to serious pathological conditions, such ashypertension and pre–term labour. The calcium ion plays a centralrole in smooth muscle function, increasing in concentration forcontraction and decreasing for relaxation. Calcium entry into thecell is facilitated by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR).

This book explores the latest research on the role of thesarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in smooth muscle function. It examinesthe control and modulation of the SR and how this may vary amongsmooth muscle types. Potential therapeutic implications are alsodiscussed.

• Discusses new and exciting work in this area and identifiespromising new research directions.
• Considers the advances in this relatively unexplored field,offering new insights into the role of the SR muscle.
• Brings together contributions from key workers, both in basicand clinical science, whose studies range from physiological topathological and molecular to whole animal.

  
   

Chair′s introduction (David Eisner).

Role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in uterine smooth muscle (SusanWray, Sajeera Kupittayanant and Tony Shmigol).
Discussion.

Relationship between the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the plasmamembrane (Cheng–Han Lee, Damon Poburko, Kuo–Hsing Kuo, Chun Seowand Cornelis van Breemen).
Discussion.

General discussion I The role of calmodulin in smooth musclecontraction.

Ca?2+ signalling and Ca?2+–activated K?+ channels in smooth muscle(John G. McCarron, Karen N. Bradley and Thomas C. Muir).
Discussion.

Additional fluxes of activator Ca?2+ accompanying Ca?2+ releasefrom the sarcoplasmic reticulum triggered by InsP3–mobilizingagonists (Luc Raeymaekers, Bernd Nilius, Thomas Voets, LudwigMissiaen, Kurt Van Baelen, Jo Vanoevelen and Frank Wuytack).
Discussion.

Molecular candidates for capacitative and non–capacitative Ca?2+entry in smooth muscle (Ryuji Inoue and Yasuo Mori).

Regulation of Ca?2+ entry pathways by both limbs of thephosphoinositide pathway (Colin W. Taylor).
Discussion.

Calcium release by ryanodine receptors in smooth muscle (M. I.Kotlikoff, Yong–Xiao Wang, Hong–Bo Xin and Guanju Ji).
Discussion.

Organization of Ca?2+ stores in vascular smooth muscle: functionalimplications (Mordecai P. Blaustein, Vera A. Golovina, Hong Song,Jacqueline Choate, Lubomira Lencesova, Shawn W. Robinson, and W.Gil Wier).
Discussion.

Molecular basis and physiological functions of dynamic Ca?2+signalling in smooth muscle cells (Masamitsu Iino).
Discussion.

Calcium release events in excitation–contraction coupling in smoothmuscle (T. B. Bolton, D. V. Gordienko, V. Pucovsk?, S. Parsons andO. Povstyan).
Discussion.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum, calcium waves and myometrial signalling(Roger C. Young).
Discussion.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum and membrane currents (Gerald M. Herrera andMark T. Nelson).
Discussion.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum function and contractile consequences inureteric smooth muscles (Theodor Burdyga and Susan Wray).
Discussion.

General discussion II The physiological significance of smoothmuscle Ca?2+ stores.

The sarcoplasmic reticulum and smooth muscle function: evidencefrom transgenic mice (R. J. Paul, G. E. Shull and E. G.Kranias).
Discussion.

The sarcoplasmic reticulum in disease and smooth muscledysfunction: therapeutic potential (A. F. Brading).
Discussion.

The sarcoplasmic reticulum: then and now (Andrew P. Somlyo andAvril V. Somlyo).
Discussion.

Final General Discussion.

Index of Contributors.

Subject Index.