Regulation of [Ca2+]c oscillations by plasma membrane Ca2+ fluxes:: a role for natriuretic peptides

We have investigated the effects of natriuretic peptides on oscillations in [Ca2+](c) (cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration) in two different cell types: freshly isolated rat hepatocytes and the ECV304 cell line. Our data, from both cell types, suggest that natriuretic peptides modulate the frequency of [Ca2+](c) oscillations through alterations in plasma membrane Ca2+ fluxes. Here, we review evidence for a role for plasma membrane Ca2+ fluxes in the control of the frequency of [Ca2+](c) oscillations. We describe a hypothetical mechanism through which this might be achieved. We propose a physiological role for regulated control of Ca2+ efflux in modulating [Ca2+](c) oscillations.