Mechanisms Governing Regulations of Ryanodine Receptor Function

Intracellular calcium concentration, and hence cell function, is regulated by the release of calcium from the internal stores. In striated muscle this occurs via ryanodine receptors (RyRs). Modulation of RyR function by cytoplasmic constituents is central to their role in muscle contraction. However, these modulatory mechanisms are complex and poorly understood. Single channel studies of recombinant RyRs in artificial membranes carried out here is the only way of examining RyRs in sufficient detail to tease out these mechanisms. The outcome will be a much deeper understanding of how RyRs are regulated by cell metabolism under normal and pathological conditions.