RYR1 gene - what is it?
Ryanodine receptors (RYRS) are found in various animal tissues (including humans) and they are a class of intracellular calcium channels that are involved in excitation.
There are 3 isoforms of this receptor
RYR1 which is found in skeletal muscle and involved in muscle contraction.
(This is the recpetor affected in most cases of MH)
- RYR2 which is found in heart tissue.
- RYR3 which is the most widely spread but mainly found in the brain.
RYR1 releases calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to cause muscle contraction, however this is only for a short while and the channel closes again to prevent MH symptoms. If constantly opened or being stimulated to open by halothene gases will cause uncontrollable muscle contraction.
Images taken from: www.flickr.com/photos/65542850@N00/227030816/