Resonance effects determine the frequency of bursting Ca2+ oscillations

A mathematical model for bursting Ca2+ oscillations is analysed from a physical point of view as a system of internally coupled fast and slow oscillators. We show that the fast subsystem determines the interburst frequency, whereas altering the kinetics of the slow processes changes the duration of the bursting phase in a resonant manner. The resonance effect appears between two oscillatory Ca2+-buffering mechanisms. This may be biologically important for a highly selective Ca2+ signal transduction from cell receptors to target proteins.