Receptor‐activated cytoplasmic Ca2+ spikes in communicating clusters of pancreatic acinar cells

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Abstract
The transmission of receptor‐generated cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals between communicating pancreatic acinar cells has been investigated by comparing patch‐clamp recordings of Ca2+‐dependent Cl− current in internally perfused single cells and small multi‐cell clusters. Acetylcholine (50 nM) generates shortlasting repetitive spikes of Ca2+‐dependent current and these spikes are not transmitted to neighbouring cells. Cholecystokinin octapeptide (5 pM) also generates repetitive spikes, but a significant proportion of these trigger longer and larger pulses of Ca2+‐dependent current and these waves can easily spread from cell to cell. In pancreatic acinar units it is therefore possible to observe both local Ca2+ signals confined to the cell of its origin as well as Ca2+ signals that spread through communicating junctions to all cells in the unit.