Extracellular Calcium Has Multiple Targets to Control Cell Proliferation.

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Physiology

Background:

• Extracellular calcium is a critical signaling ion.
• Cellular processes like proliferation, migration, and invasion are regulated by extracellular calcium.
• Calcium channels and G-protein coupled receptors (CaSR, GPRC6a) are key mediators of extracellular calcium signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the mechanisms by which extracellular calcium, via calcium channels and GPCRs, influences cellular signaling and fate.
• To explore the interplay between intracellular calcium levels and the activity of calcium-sensing receptors.

Main Methods:

• The study reviews existing literature on calcium signaling pathways.
• It analyzes the roles of calcium channels, CaSR, and GPRC6a in cellular regulation.
• It discusses the concept of membrane signalplexes in integrating extracellular signals.

Main Results:

• Extracellular calcium regulates cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through calcium channels, CaSR, and GPRC6a.
• Intracellular signaling pathways are sensitive to cytosolic calcium changes and can modulate calcium channel activity.
• CaSR and GPRC6a can modulate calcium channel expression and activity, and also control calcium-dependent K+ channels.

Conclusions:

• The complex interplay between calcium channels, CaSR, GPRC6a, and intracellular signaling pathways provides cells with plasticity.
• This plasticity allows cells to convert extracellular calcium signals into diverse physiological responses, determining cell fate.
• Understanding these pathways is crucial for comprehending normal physiology and disease states.