Title: T-tubule - Wikipedia
Headings: T-tubule
T-tubule
Contents
Structure
Regulators
Function
Excitation-contraction coupling
Calcium control
Detubulation
History
Clinical significance
See also
References

Content: The calcium ATPase removes calcium from the cell actively, using energy derived from adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Detubulation
In order to study T-tubule function, T-tubules can be artificially uncoupled from the surface membrane using a technique known as detubulation. Chemicals such as glycerol or formamide (for skeletal and cardiac muscle respectively) can be added to the extracellular solution that surrounds the cells. These agents increase the osmolarity of the extracellular solution, causing the cells to shrink. When these agents are withdrawn, the cells rapidly expand and return to their normal size. This shrinkage and re-expansion of the cell causes T-tubules to detach from the surface membrane. Alternatively, the osmolarity of the extracellular solution can be decreased, using for example hypotonic saline, causing a tran