Excitation Contraction Coupling Flashcards
what does the action potential depolarization cause at the terminal button?
voltage gated calcium channels open and the elevated levels cause vesicles of ACh to fuse with the membrane
where does ACh from the motor neuron bind and what does this cause?
binds to channels in the muscle membrane and depolarizes the motor endplate with influx of Na and a minute amount of K efflux
what is the consequence of depolarization at the motor endplate?
opens voltage gated sodium channels that form an action potential down the muscle cell
how is ACh cleared from the synaptic cleft??
acetylcholinesterase inactivates the released acetylcholine.
what is the pathology of Myasthenia Gravis? How can it be treated?
autoantibodies target nicotinic ACh receptors at the neuromuscular junction
edrophonium chlorie decreases inactivation of ACh and increases the availability at the synapse
what are the symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis?
muscle fatigability that gets worse later in the day. hallmark symptoms are diploplia (double vision), ptosis and weakness of the smile
where, in the excitation contraction pathway, can disease mechanisms inhibit?
at the motor neuron, (along the axon and in the cell body), at the sarcomere, at the neuromuscular junction and in the muscle.
what is an example of a motor neuron disease?
ALS (motor neuron death in spine)
what is an example of a demyelenating disease?
Guilain-Barre syndrome (autoimmune response against myelin)
what is an example of a neuromuscular junction disease?
Myasthenia gravis (autoimmune response against ACh receptor)
what is an example of a sarcomere disease?
malignant hyperthermia (mutation in Ryr1 causing excessive calcium release in muscle)
what is an example of a muscle disease?
muscular dystrophy (reduced attachment to muscle membrane)
how does depolarization cause calcium release in muscle?
the T tubule is depolarized and ryanodine receptors in the sarcoplasmic reticulum open calcium channels
how much does Ca concentration increase after an action potential in a muscle cell?
from 10^-7 to 10^-5
where is the internal store of calcium inside the muscle? what are the implications of this reserve?
the sarcoplasmic reticulum
the cell can contract without extracellular calcium
what causes relaxation of the muscle cell?
calcium is transported back into the SR by ATPase ion pump
what binds calcium in the SR?
calreticulin and calsequestrin
what is the skeletal muscle triad composed of?
one T tubule (invagination of the cellular membrane) and 2 sarcoplasmic reticulum cisternae