Interaction between the Na+/Ca2+ antiporter and the Ca2+ channel in smooth muscle cells

Abstract A basic model of the interaction between membrane ion-transferring systems in smooth muscle cells is developed in this work. The permanent ion exchange through a cell membrane is proposed to be maintained by the interplay between a potential-dependent Ca 2+ channel, an electrogenic 3 Na + /Ca 2+ antiporter, a Na + K + pump and a K + channel. It is shown that the 3 Na + /Ca 2+ exchange mechanism can play a major role in the steady self-oscillation of the membrane potential in smooth muscles.