Calcium homeostasis disruption - a bridge connecting cadmium-induced apoptosis, autophagy and tumorigenesis
Xuehai Zhou1, Weiming Hao, Haifeng Shi
1Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
Abstract:
Calcium and cadmium are divalent metals and have similar chemical properties. Both can enter cells through, albeit different, channels, or through protein-dependent permeation. However, cadmium disturbs the calcium homeostasis by inhibiting calcium channels and/or related proteins. Cadmium can also alter membrane phospholipid concentrations, and so induce a calcium homeostasis disorder. The altered calcium homeostasis induced by cadmium results in cell apoptosis, autophagy or tumorigenesis. In this review, calcium homeostasis disruption is summarized as a bridge connecting cadmium-induced apoptosis, autophagy, and tumorigenesis.
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