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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Dissection of Local Ca2+ Signals in Cultured Cells by Membrane-targeted Ca2+ Indicators
Published on: March 22, 2019
Compartmentalized signalling: Ca2+ compartments, microdomains and the many facets of Ca2+ signalling
Alex J Laude1, Alec W M Simpson
1Department Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Abstract:
Ca(2+) regulates a multitude of cellular processes and does so by partitioning its actions in space and time. In this review, we discuss how Ca(2+) responses are constructed from small quantal (elementary) events that have the potential to propagate to produce large pan-cellular responses. We review how Ca(2+) is compartmentalized both physically and functionally, and describe how each organelle has its own distinct Ca(2+)-handling properties. We explain how coordination of the movement of Ca(2+) between organelles is used to shape and hone Ca(2+) signals. Finally, we provide a number of specific examples of where compartmentation and localization of Ca(2+) are crucial to cell function.
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