Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of small peripheral arteries contribute to blood pressure control by adapting their contractile state. These adaptations depend on the VSMC cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration, regulated by complex local elementary Ca(2+) signaling pathways. Ca(2+) sparks represent local, transient, rapid calcium release events from a cluster of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In arterial SMCs, Ca(2+) sparks activate nearby calcium-dependent potassium channels, cause membrane hyperpolarization and thus decrease the global intracellular [Ca(2+)] to oppose vasoconstriction. Arterial SMC Ca(v)1.2 L-type channels regulate intracellular calcium stores content, which in turn modulates calcium efflux through RyRs. Ca(v)3.2 T-type channels contribute to a minor extend to Ca(2+) spark generation in certain types of arteries. Their localization within cell membrane caveolae is essential. We summarize present data on local elementary calcium signaling (Ca(2+) sparks) in arterial SMCs with focus on RyR isoforms, large-conductance calcium-dependent potassium (BK(Ca)) channels, and cell membrane-bound calcium channels (Ca(v)1.2 and Ca(v)3.2), particularly in caveolar microdomains.