Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Amplifying Signals via Second Messengers

Amplifying Signals via Second Messengers

Many receptor binding ligands are hydrophilic; they do not cross the cell membrane but bind to cell-surface receptors. Thus, their message must be relayed by second messengers present in the cell cytoplasm. There are several second messenger pathways, each with its own way of relaying information. For example, the G protein-coupled receptors can activate both phosphoinositol and cyclic AMP (cAMP) second messenger pathways. The phosphoinositol pathway is active when the receptor induces...

Phosphorylation

Phosphorylation

The addition or removal of phosphate groups from proteins is the most common chemical modification that regulates cellular processes. These modifications can affect the structure, activity, stability, and localization of proteins within cells as well as their interactions with other proteins.
During phosphorylation, protein kinases transfer the terminal phosphate group of ATP to specific amino acid side chains of substrate proteins. Serine, threonine, and tyrosine are the most commonly...

Intracellular Signaling Cascades

Intracellular Signaling Cascades

Once a ligand binds to a receptor, the signal is transmitted through the membrane and into the cytoplasm. The continuation of a signal in this manner is called signal transduction. Signal transduction only occurs with cell-surface receptors, which cannot interact with most components of the cell, such as DNA. Only internal receptors can interact directly with DNA in the nucleus to initiate protein synthesis. When a ligand binds to its receptor, conformational changes occur that affect the...

Intracellular Signaling Cascades

Intracellular Signaling Cascades

Once a ligand binds to a receptor, the signal is transmitted through the membrane and into the cytoplasm. The continuation of a signal in this manner is called signal transduction. Signal transduction only occurs with cell-surface receptors, which cannot interact with most components of the cell, such as DNA. Only internal receptors can interact directly with DNA in the nucleus to initiate protein synthesis. When a ligand binds to its receptor, conformational changes occur that affect the...

IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway

IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway

Membrane lipids such as phosphatidylinositol (PI) are precursors for several membrane-bound and soluble second messengers. Specific kinases phosphorylate PI and produce phosphorylated inositol phospholipids. One such inositol phospholipids are the phosphatidylinositol-4,5 bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], present in the inner half of the lipid bilayer. Upon ligand binding, GPCR stimulates Gq proteins to turn on phospholipase Cꞵ. Activated phospholipase Cꞵ cleaves PI(4,5)P2 and produces two-second...

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate

Calcium and phosphate are essential electrolytes in the human body, with calcium being the most abundant mineral. Around 99% of the body's calcium is stored in the skeleton and teeth, forming a crystal lattice of mineral salts in combination with phosphates. Calcium plays crucial roles in various bodily functions such as blood clotting, neurotransmitter release, muscle tone maintenance, and nervous and muscle tissue excitability.
The calcium concentration in blood plasma is primarily regulated...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Integrated Genetic and Biochemical Approach to Patients with Bone Disorders Exhibiting Low Alkaline Phosphatase.

Calcified tissue international·2026

Same author

Pierson syndrome with numerous dilated tubules masquerading as autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease: a case report.

CEN case reports·2026

Same author

Distribution of blood pressure and its positive association with body mass index standard deviation score in pediatric patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia: a sub-group analysis from the SUNFLOWER observational study.

Endocrine journal·2025

Same author

Involvement of impaired phosphate production and aberrant extracellular ATP signaling in the pathogenesis of hypophosphatasia: Analysis of ALPL-Knockout human iPS cell models.

Bone·2025

Same author

Association between the timing of secondary alveolar bone grafting and maxillary permanent central incisor development in unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery : official publication of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery·2025

Same author

Effects of enzyme replacement therapy in sibling cases of hypophosphatasia of varying severities.

Clinical pediatric endocrinology : case reports and clinical investigations : official journal of the Japanese Society for Pediatric Endocrinology·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Identification of Inositol Phosphate or Phosphoinositide Interacting Proteins by Affinity Chromatography Coupled to Western Blot or Mass Spectrometry

Identification of Inositol Phosphate or Phosphoinositide Interacting Proteins by Affinity Chromatography Coupled to Western Blot or Mass Spectrometry

Published on: July 26, 2019

Extracellular phosphate as a signaling molecule.

Toshimi Michigami¹

¹Department of Bone and Mineral Research, Osaka Medical Center and Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Izumi, Osaka, Japan. michigami @ mch.pref.osaka.jp

Contributions to Nephrology

|May 9, 2013

Summary

Extracellular inorganic phosphate (Pi) regulates cellular functions in bone and other tissues. Mammalian cells likely possess Pi-sensing mechanisms, but cellular and whole-body sensing pathways remain unclear.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Whole Cell Protein Lysates from Mouse Facial Processes and Cultured Palatal Mesenchyme Cells for Phosphoprotein Analysis

Isolation of Whole Cell Protein Lysates from Mouse Facial Processes and Cultured Palatal Mesenchyme Cells for Phosphoprotein Analysis

Published on: April 1, 2022

Fluorescence-Based Measurements of Phosphatidylserine/Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate Exchange Between Membranes

Fluorescence-Based Measurements of Phosphatidylserine/Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate Exchange Between Membranes

Published on: March 14, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Identification of Inositol Phosphate or Phosphoinositide Interacting Proteins by Affinity Chromatography Coupled to Western Blot or Mass Spectrometry

Identification of Inositol Phosphate or Phosphoinositide Interacting Proteins by Affinity Chromatography Coupled to Western Blot or Mass Spectrometry

Published on: July 26, 2019

Isolation of Whole Cell Protein Lysates from Mouse Facial Processes and Cultured Palatal Mesenchyme Cells for Phosphoprotein Analysis

Isolation of Whole Cell Protein Lysates from Mouse Facial Processes and Cultured Palatal Mesenchyme Cells for Phosphoprotein Analysis

Published on: April 1, 2022

Fluorescence-Based Measurements of Phosphatidylserine/Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate Exchange Between Membranes

Fluorescence-Based Measurements of Phosphatidylserine/Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate Exchange Between Membranes

Published on: March 14, 2021

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Physiology

Background:

Phosphorus is essential for numerous biological processes, including genetic material maintenance, energy metabolism, and skeletal mineralization.
Extracellular inorganic phosphate (Pi) levels influence gene expression and cellular functions in various cell types, including bone cells and vascular smooth muscle cells.
Increased extracellular Pi can induce calcification and upregulate osteoblast marker genes in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the regulation of cellular functions by extracellular inorganic phosphate (Pi).
To discuss current concepts regarding the mechanisms of Pi-sensing in mammalian cells.
To explore whether cellular and whole-body Pi sensing share common pathways.

Main Methods:

Review of existing scientific literature on phosphorus metabolism and cellular responses to extracellular Pi.
Discussion of proposed signaling pathways, including the PiT1 cotransporter and ERK1/2 pathway.
Comparison of Pi-sensing mechanisms in unicellular organisms and mammals.

Main Results:

Extracellular Pi modulates proliferation, differentiation, mineralization, and apoptosis in bone cells.
Extracellular Pi triggers signaling pathways, such as via the PiT1 cotransporter and ERK1/2, influencing cellular functions.
Unicellular organisms exhibit sophisticated environmental Pi sensing, regulating Pi uptake and metabolism.

Conclusions:

Mammalian cells possess responsiveness to extracellular Pi, suggesting an intrinsic sensing mechanism.
The precise mechanisms of cellular and whole-body Pi sensing in mammals require further investigation.
Understanding Pi-sensing pathways is crucial for maintaining whole-body phosphate homeostasis.