The molecular basis of the genesis of basal tone in internal anal sphincter

The molecular basis of the basal tone generated by internal anal sphincters (IAS) is largely unknown. Here, the authors show that the tone arises from a global rise in intracellular Ca2+ in smooth muscle cells via a Ryanodine receptor-TMEM16A-L-type Ca2+ channel-MLC kinase pathway, suggesting a potential therapy for IAS motility disorders.