Cytosolic calcium dynamics and smooth muscle contraction.III Plasmalemmal calcium fluxes

Smooth muscle contractile activity depends upon cytosolic Ca2+, the Ca(2+)-sensitivity of actin-myosin interaction and several auxiliary mechanisms. This section presents the plasmalemmal Ca2+ fluxes in relation with the functional structure of their supportive proteins and the contractile impact. Summaries of classical data are accompanied by examples of recent advances. Ca2+ influx occurs mainly via the L and T types of voltage-operated Ca2+ channels, the store-operated Ca2+ channels and the non-selective cation channels (operated by membrane receptors or mechanical stimuli). The plasmalemmal Ca2+ ATPase and Na/Ca antiport function to limit increases in cytosolic Ca2+; Na/Ca effect is opposite when driven to operate in the reverse mode.