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Updated: May 16, 2026
12:30
Monitoring ER/SR Calcium Release with the Targeted Ca2+ Sensor CatchER+
Published on: May 19, 2017
Themes and variations in ER/SR calcium release channels: structure and function.
Peter B Stathopulos1, Min-duk Seo, Masahiro Enomoto
1Ontario Cancer Institute and Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Physiology (Bethesda, Md.)
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Calcium release channels, like IP3Rs and RyRs, share surprising similarities in their structure and function. These vital cellular components likely evolved from a common ancestor in early life forms.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Calcium ions (Ca2+) are crucial signaling molecules in eukaryotic cells.
- Reticular stores are key intracellular reservoirs for calcium.
- IP3Rs and RyRs are major calcium release channels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanistic similarities between IP3Rs and RyRs.
- To explore the evolutionary origins of calcium release channels.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of recent structural data for IP3Rs and RyRs.
- Examination of the tetrameric arrangement of these channels.
- Comparative genomics of unicellular organisms.
Main Results:
- Structural data reveal significant mechanistic commonalities between IP3Rs and RyRs.
- The large N-terminal regions of these channels are key to their function.
- Evidence suggests a common evolutionary ancestor for these calcium release channels.
Conclusions:
- IP3Rs and RyRs function through remarkably similar mechanisms.
- The fundamental role of these calcium release channels is conserved across eukaryotic evolution.
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