Membrane contact sites between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and plasma membrane (PM),
or ER-PM junctions, are found in all eukaryotic cells. In excitable cells they play unique roles …

Even before the sinoatrial node (SAN) was discovered, cardiovascular science was
engaged in an active investigation of when and why the heart would beat. After the …

Gastrointestinal (GI) organs display spontaneous, non‐neurogenic electrical, and
mechanical rhythmicity that underlies fundamental motility patterns, such as peristalsis and …

In arterial myocytes, the canonical function of voltage-gated CaV1. 2 and KV2. 1 channels is
to induce myocyte contraction and relaxation through their responses to membrane …

Contraction of cardiomyocytes is initiated at subcellular elements called dyads, where L‐
type Ca2+ channels in t‐tubules are located within close proximity to ryanodine receptors in …

Background Cardiac optical mapping is an imaging technique that measures fluorescent
signals across a cardiac preparation. Dual optical imaging of voltage-sensitive and calcium …

The current dogma about the heartbeat origin is based on “the pacemaker cell,” a
specialized cell residing in the sinoatrial node (SAN) that exhibits spontaneous diastolic …

The spontaneous action potential (AP) firing rate of sinoatrial nodal cells (SANC) is
regulated by a system of intracellular Ca2+ and membrane ion current clocks driven by …

Excitation–contraction coupling kinetics is dictated by the action potential rate of sinoatrial-
nodal cells. These cells generate local Ca releases (LCRs) that activate Na/Ca exchanger …

The function of the smooth muscle cells lining the walls of mammalian systemic arteries and
arterioles is to regulate the diameter of the vessels to control blood flow and blood pressure …