Particle-based multiscale modeling of calcium puff dynamics

Abstract

Intracellular calcium is regulated in part by the release of Ca2+ ions from the endo-plasmic reticulum via inositol-4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R) channels (among other possibilities such as RyR and L-type calcium channels). The resulting dynamics are highly diverse and lead to local calcium "puffs" as well as global waves propagating through cells, as observed in Xenopus oocytes, neurons, and other cell types. Local fluctuations in the number of calcium ions play a crucial role in the onset of these features. Previous modeling studies of calcium puff dynamics stemming from IP3R channels have predominantly focused on stochastic channel models coupled to deterministic diffusion of ions, thereby neglecting local fluctuations of the ion number. Tracking of individual ions is computationally difficult due to the scale separation in the Ca2+ concentration when channels are in the open or closed states. In this paper, a spatial multiscale model for investigating of the dynamics of puffs is presented. It couples Brownian motion (diffusion) of ions with a stochastic channel gating model. The model is used to analyze calcium puff statistics. Concentration time traces as well as channel state information are studied. We identify the regime in which puffs can be found and develop a mean-field theory to extract the boundary of this regime. Puffs are possible only when the time scale of channel inhibition is sufficiently large. Implications for the understanding of puff generation and termination are discussed.