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Related Concept Videos

Calmodulin-dependent Signaling01:16

Calmodulin-dependent Signaling

Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium-binding protein in eukaryotes that controls various calcium-regulated cellular processes. It has four calcium-binding sites that bind calcium to form the calcium-calmodulin ( Ca2+-CaM) complex. GPCR stimulation increases the calcium levels in the cells that bind to CaM and induces a conformational change.
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
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Calcium is an essential signaling molecule required for various cellular functions. Calcium pumps and ion channels on cell and organellar membranes, such as those on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), regulate calcium concentrations inside the cell. They remain closed, keeping the cytosolic calcium levels low at a resting state.
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Dissection of Local Ca2+ Signals in Cultured Cells by Membrane-targeted Ca2+ Indicators
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Ca2+ microdomains near plasma membrane Ca2+ channels: impact on cell function.

Anant B Parekh1

  • 1Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford University, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK. anant.parekh@dpag.ox.ac.uk

The Journal of Physiology
|May 10, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Calcium microdomains, localized signals near ion channels, provide specificity for cellular responses. These microdomains, generated by calcium (Ca2+) channels, drive diverse cellular functions.

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Applications of Spatio-temporal Mapping and Particle Analysis Techniques to Quantify Intracellular Ca2+ Signaling In Situ
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Applications of Spatio-temporal Mapping and Particle Analysis Techniques to Quantify Intracellular Ca2+ Signaling In Situ

Published on: January 7, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Signaling Pathways

Background:

  • Cytoplasmic calcium (Ca2+) is a critical second messenger regulating numerous eukaryotic cellular responses.
  • The promiscuous nature of Ca2+ signaling necessitates mechanisms for specificity to ensure appropriate cellular activation.
  • Spatial signaling, particularly localized Ca2+ increases, is crucial for signal fidelity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To delineate the fundamental features of Ca2+ microdomains.
  • To describe how Ca2+ microdomains, generated by Ca2+-permeable channels, drive cellular responses.
  • To explain the role of localized Ca2+ signals in achieving specificity in cellular signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Ca2+ signaling and microdomain formation.
  • Analysis of Ca2+ dynamics near plasmalemmal Ca2+ channels.
  • Integration of data on Ca2+ microdomain properties and downstream effectors.

Main Results:

  • Ca2+ does not rise uniformly but forms localized high-concentration regions called microdomains near open channels.
  • Fundamental Ca2+ microdomains are generated rapidly by channels like L-type (Cav1.2) and CRAC channels.
  • These microdomains exhibit versatile spatial and temporal profiles, triggering distinct cellular responses.

Conclusions:

  • Ca2+ microdomains are essential for conferring specificity to Ca2+ signaling.
  • Localized Ca2+ signals are a fundamental mechanism by which Ca2+-permeable channels control cellular functions.
  • Understanding microdomain dynamics is key to deciphering complex cellular regulation by Ca2+.