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.