Minimal contribution of IPR2 in cardiac differentiation and derived ventricular-like myocytes from human embryonic stem cells.

Type 2 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IPR2) regulates the intracellular Ca release from endoplasmic reticulum in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), cardiovascular progenitor cells (CVPCs), and mammalian cardiomyocytes. However, the role of IPR2 in human cardiac development is unknown and its function in mammalian cardiomyocytes is controversial. hESC-derived cardiomyocytes have unique merits in disease modeling, cell therapy, and drug screening.

Ca2+ sparks and Ca2+ glows in superior cervical ganglion neurons.

Aim: Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an integral component of neuronal Ca2+ signaling. The present study is to investigate properties of local Ca2+ release events in superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons.

Methods: Primary cultured SCG neurons were prepared from neonatal rats (P3-P7).