Journal article
Amplitude Distribution of Calcium Sparks in Confocal Images: Theory and Studies with an Automatic Detection Method
Biophysical journal, Vol.76(2), pp.606-617
1999
DOI: 10.1016/S0006-3495(99)77229-2
PMCID: PMC1300067
PMID: 9929467
Abstract
Determination of the calcium spark amplitude distribution is of critical importance for understanding the nature of elementary calcium release events in striated muscle. In the present study we show, on general theoretical grounds, that calcium sparks, as observed in confocal line scan images, should have a nonmodal, monotonic decreasing amplitude distribution, regardless of whether the underlying events are stereotyped. To test this prediction we developed, implemented, and verified an automated computer algorithm for objective detection and measurement of calcium sparks in raw image data. When the sensitivity and reliability of the algorithm were set appropriately, we observed highly left-skewed or monotonic decreasing amplitude distributions in skeletal muscle cells and cardiomyocytes, confirming the theoretical predictions. The previously reported modal or Gaussian distributions of sparks detected by eye must therefore be the result of subjective detection bias against small amplitude events. In addition, we discuss possible situations when a modal distribution might be observed.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Amplitude Distribution of Calcium Sparks in Confocal Images: Theory and Studies with an Automatic Detection Method
- Creators
- Heping Cheng - Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224Long-Sheng Song - Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224Natalia Shirokova - Department of Molecular Biophysics and Physiology, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois 60612 USAAdom González - Department of Molecular Biophysics and Physiology, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois 60612 USAEdward G Lakatta - Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224Eduardo Ríos - Department of Molecular Biophysics and Physiology, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois 60612 USAMichael D Stern - Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Biophysical journal, Vol.76(2), pp.606-617
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- DOI
- 10.1016/S0006-3495(99)77229-2
- PMID
- 9929467
- PMCID
- PMC1300067
- ISSN
- 0006-3495
- eISSN
- 1542-0086
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 1999
- Academic Unit
- Cardiovascular Medicine; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984094587302771
Metrics
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