QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s):
Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents

Help viewing high resolution images Return to article

Fig. 2. Simultaneous estimation of spontaneous [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations and mechanical activity. (A) Ca²⁺ images obtained from a cell cluster preparation with a high intensity area that could be used to monitor mechanical activity. (a) The initial fluorescent Ca²⁺ image. (b1,b2) Pseudocoloured Ca²⁺ images acquired at basal and peak times, respectively, of an initial oscillation cycle in normal solution, while (c1) and (c2) are at basal and peak times of an initial oscillation cycle in the presence of cromakalim (1 µM). Unlike, the Ca²⁺ image in Fig. 1b, it was not possible to normalize the Ca²⁺ images, because of contractile activity in control normal solution. Scale bar: (below a) 50 µm. (B) The time course of [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations (upper trace) was measured in the boxed region of the cell cluster preparation shown in Aa; left traces are in normal solution and right traces are with cromakalim. The size and position of this region were chosen in order to minimize the interference from mechanical activity in control solution. The Fluo-3 fluorescence is expressed relative to that at the initial basal time (F_t/F_0(t=ib)). The mechanical activity (lower trace) was simultaneously monitored by tracking the high-intensity area indicated by the arrow in Aa. (C) Three successive oscillation cycles in control solution are shown expanded in order to clearly show relationship between [Ca²⁺]_i and mechanical activities.

Return to article