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Variability in G-protein-coupled signaling studied with microfluidic devices.

ABSTRACT: Different cells, even those that are genetically identical, can respond differently to identical stimuli, but the precise source of this variability remains obscure. To study this problem, we built a microfluidic experimental system which can track responses of individual cells across multiple stimulations. We used this system to determine that amplitude variation in G-protein-activated calcium release in RAW264.7 macrophages is generally extrinsic, i.e., they arise from long-lived variations between cells and not from stochastic activation of signaling components. In the case of responses linked to P2Y family purine receptors, we estimate that approximately one-third of the observed variability in calcium release is receptor-specific. We further demonstrate that the signaling apparatus downstream of P2Y6 receptor activation is moderately saturable. These observations will be useful in constructing and constraining single-cell models of G protein-coupled calcium dynamics.

SUBMITTER: Bao XR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2955501 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Variability in G-protein-coupled signaling studied with microfluidic devices.

Bao Xiaoyan Robert XR Fraser Iain D C ID Wall Estelle A EA Quake Stephen R SR Simon Melvin I MI

Biophysical journal 20101001 8

Different cells, even those that are genetically identical, can respond differently to identical stimuli, but the precise source of this variability remains obscure. To study this problem, we built a microfluidic experimental system which can track responses of individual cells across multiple stimulations. We used this system to determine that amplitude variation in G-protein-activated calcium release in RAW264.7 macrophages is generally extrinsic, i.e., they arise from long-lived variations be ...[more]

PMID: 20959081

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Dataset Information

Variability in G-protein-coupled signaling studied with microfluidic devices.

Publications

Variability in G-protein-coupled signaling studied with microfluidic devices.

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