Molecular regulation of cardiac ryanodine receptor ion channel

G Meissner - Cell calcium, 2004 - Elsevier
The release of Ca2+ ions from intracellular stores is a key step in a wide variety of cellular
functions. In striated muscle, the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) leads
to muscle contraction. Ca2+ release occurs through large, high-conductance Ca2+ release
channels, also known as ryanodine receptors (RyRs) because they bind the plant alkaloid
ryanodine with high affinity and specificity. The RyRs are isolated as 30S protein complexes
comprised of four 560kDa RyR2 subunits and four 12kDa FK506 binding protein (FKBP12) …