Calcium oscillations triggered by cardiotonic steroids

• Na+, K+-ATPase (NKA) is well known for its function as an ion pump. Studies during the last decade have revealed an additional role for NKA as a signal transducer. In this brief review, we describe how cardiotonic steroids, which are highly specific NKA ligands, trigger slow Ca2+ oscillations by promoting the interaction between NKA and the inositol trisphosphate receptor, and how this Ca2+ signal activates the NF-B subunit p65 and increases the expression of the antiapoptotic factor Bcl-xL. The potential tissue-protective effects of this signal are discussed.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Biokemi och molekylärbiologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Cell- och molekylärbiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Cell and Molecular Biology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

apoptosis

Ca2+ signaling

cardiotonic steroids

inositol trisphosphate receptor

intracellular Ca2+ oscillations

Na+-K+-ATPase

NF-B

organ development

ouabain

Src kinase

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

for (subject category)