The pharyngeal muscles of Caenorhabditis elegans are composed of the corpus, isthmus and terminal bulb from anterior to posterior. These components are excited in a coordinated fashion to facilitate proper feeding through pumping and peristalsis. We analysed the spatiotemporal pattern of intracellular calcium dynamics in the pharyngeal muscles during feeding. We used a new ratiometric fluorescent calcium indicator and a new optical system that allows simultaneous illumination and detection at any two wavelengths. Pumping was observed with fast, repetitive and synchronous spikes in calcium concentrations in the corpus and terminal bulb, indicative of electrical coupling throughout the muscles. The posterior isthmus, however, responded to only one out of several pumping spikes to produce broad calcium transients, leading to peristalsis, the slow and gradual motion needed for efficient swallows. The excitation-calcium coupling may be uniquely modulated in this region at the level of calcium channels on the plasma membrane.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1299054 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.embor.7400142 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Long-term Prospective Comparative Analysis of Ototoxic and Survival Outcomes of Sequential Boost and Simultaneous Integrated Boost of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy for Head-Neck Carcinomas.
Turk Arch Otorhinolaryngol
January 2025
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
Objective: To compare the ototoxicity and survival in head and neck carcinoma patients treated with sequential (SEQ) and simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT).
Methods: This long-term prospective study enrolled patients with histologically confirmed head and neck carcinoma, all receiving VMAT treatment. Audiological assessments were done using various tests at baseline, two weeks, treatment completion, six months, and 12 months.
Tropomyosin is an actin-binding protein that plays roles ranging from regulating muscle contraction to controlling cytokinesis and cell migration. The simple nematode provides a useful model for studying the core functions of tropomyosin in an animal, having a relatively simple anatomy, and a single tropomyosin gene, , that produces seven isoforms. Three higher molecular weight isoforms (LEV-11A, D, O) regulate contraction of body wall and other muscles, but comparatively less is known of the functions of four lower molecular weight isoforms (LEV-11C, E, T, U).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEstimating Palatal and Pharyngeal Muscle Contraction in Hindi Syllable Pronunciation using Computational Modeling.
Indian J Plast Surg
December 2024
Department of Radiodiagnosis, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.
Article Synopsis
- Speech functions impacted by cleft palate involve complex sound production from various organs, and while traditional evaluations post-surgery are subjective, this study aims to provide objective assessments by measuring muscle contractions during speech.
- A healthy volunteer underwent dynamic MRI while pronouncing Hindi syllables, allowing researchers to create 3D models of the palate and pharynx, then analyze muscle contractions using a finite element model for different sounds.
- Results showed varying contraction levels for the palate and pharyngeal wall with different syllables, with the highest contractions for the syllable /k/ and the potential to use this data to quantify speech issues and evaluate surgical effectiveness in larger populations.
[Establishment of a novel Bama minipig model of laryngopharyngeal reflux via endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy].
Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi
December 2024
Endoscopy Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing100044, China.
To establish a novel laryngopharyngeal reflux model in Bama minipigs excluding concurrent gastroesophageal reflux through endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy. Twelve 8-month-old male Bama minipigs were randomly assigned to three groups: Group 1 underwent cricopharyngeal myotomy alone, Group 2 underwent combined cricopharyngeal and lower esophageal sphincter myotomy, and Group 3 served as the control group. Following a one-week acclimatization period, the respective surgical procedures were performed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLonafarnib Protects Against Muscle Atrophy Induced by Dexamethasone.
J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle
February 2025
Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea.
Background: Muscle atrophy, including glucocorticoid-induced muscle wasting from treatments such as dexamethasone (DEX), results in significant reductions in muscle mass, strength and function. This study investigates the potential of lonafarnib, a farnesyltransferase inhibitor, to counteract DEX-induced muscle atrophy by targeting key signalling pathways.
Methods: We utilized in vitro models with C2C12 myotubes treated with DEX and in vivo models with Caenorhabditis elegans and DEX-treated Sprague-Dawley rats.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!