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Updated: May 10, 2026
Isolation of Human Myoblasts, Assessment of Myogenic Differentiation, and Store-operated Calcium Entry Measurement
Published on: July 26, 2017
STIM proteins, Orai1 and gene expression
1Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics; University of Oxford; Oxford, UK.
Abstract:
Cytoplasmic Ca(2+) is an universal intracellular messenger that activates cellular responses over a broad temporal range, from neurotransmitter release to cell growth and proliferation. Inherent to the use of the multifarious Ca(2+) signal is the question of specificity: how can some Ca(2+)-dependent responses be activated in a cell and not others? A rise in cytoplasmic Ca(2+) can evoke a response either by binding directly to the target (as occurs with certain Ca(2+)-activated K(+) and Cl(-) channels, for example) or through recruitment of intermediary proteins, such as calmodulin and troponin C. A substantial body of evidence has now established that Ca(2+)-binding proteins differ both in their affinities for Ca(2+) and in their on- and off-rates for Ca(2+) binding/unbinding. Furthermore, different Ca(2+)-binding proteins often occupy distinct locations within the cell. Therefore, the size, kinetics and spatial profile of a cytoplasmic Ca(2+) signal are all important in determining which Ca(2+)-dependent response will be activated, when and for how long.
Insights
Calcium (Ca2+) signals control cellular functions. Specificity arises from signal characteristics like size, kinetics, and location, influencing which Ca2+-dependent responses are activated.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
Background:
- Cytoplasmic calcium (Ca2+) acts as a universal intracellular messenger.
- Ca2+ regulates diverse cellular processes including neurotransmitter release, cell growth, and proliferation.
- The specificity of Ca2+-dependent cellular responses remains a key question.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the mechanisms underlying the specificity of Ca2+-dependent cellular responses.
- To elucidate how different aspects of Ca2+ signaling determine cellular activation.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing evidence on Ca2+ signaling and Ca2+-binding proteins.
- Analysis of Ca2+ binding affinities, kinetics, and protein localization.
Main Results:
- Ca2+ responses can be initiated by direct Ca2+ binding to targets or via intermediary proteins like calmodulin.
- Ca2+-binding proteins exhibit varied affinities and binding/unbinding rates for Ca2+.
- Distinct cellular locations of Ca2+-binding proteins contribute to signal specificity.
Conclusions:
- The size, kinetics, and spatial distribution of cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals are critical determinants of cellular response specificity.
- These signal properties dictate which Ca2+-dependent pathways are activated, their timing, and duration.
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