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Direct Imaging of ER Calcium with Targeted-Esterase Induced Dye Loading (TED)

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Extracellular calcium as an integrator of tissue function.

Gerda E Breitwieser¹

¹Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Clinic, 100 N. Academy Avenue, Danville, PA 17822, United States. gebreitwieser@geisinger.edu

The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology

|March 11, 2008

Summary

Extracellular calcium (Ca(o)(2+)) is emerging as a key signaling molecule, not just intracellular calcium (Ca(i)(2+)). Fluctuations in Ca(o)(2+) regulate cell function and coordinate multicellular networks.

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Area of Science:

Cellular Biology
Biochemistry
Physiology

Background:

Intracellular calcium (Ca(i)(2+)) has been extensively studied as a second messenger.
Advances in imaging and cell culture have deepened our understanding of Ca(i)(2+) dynamics.
Translational research is now exploring calcium signaling in complex biological systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To review methods for measuring extracellular calcium (Ca(o)(2+)) fluctuations.
To present evidence for Ca(o)(2+) acting as a primary signaling molecule.
To discuss the role of Ca(o)(2+) in multicellular communication.

Main Methods:

Review of current literature on Ca(o)(2+) measurement techniques.
Analysis of studies investigating the physiological effects of Ca(o)(2+) fluctuations.
Discussion of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) and its role.

Main Results:

Extracellular calcium (Ca(o)(2+)) acts as an agonist, particularly via the CaR.
Ca(o)(2+) fluctuations may guide cell differentiation in tissues like bone and epidermis.
Interstitial Ca(o)(2+) signals integrate cellular responses in multicellular networks.

Conclusions:

Extracellular calcium (Ca(o)(2+)) plays a critical role in cell function and tissue organization.
Ca(o)(2+) signaling is crucial for coordinating multicellular communication.
Further research will likely identify new Ca(2+) sensors and signaling pathways.