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Updated: Mar 19, 2026
08:07
Simple Detection of Primary Cilia by Immunofluorescence
Published on: May 15, 2020
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Calcium channels in primary cilia
Surya M Nauli1, Rajasekharreddy Pala, Steven J Kleene
1Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University, Irvine, California Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension
|June 25, 2016
Summary
Primary cilia function is best evaluated by intracellular calcium levels. New tools allow precise measurement of calcium in cilia, revealing their sensory roles and the function of various calcium channels.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Organelle Function
- Physiology
Background:
- Primary cilia are crucial organelles involved in embryonic development, organogenesis, health, and disease.
- Traditionally, ciliary function is assessed by ciliary length or ciliogenesis, but intracellular calcium is a more common readout.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in measuring intracellular calcium within primary cilia.
- To highlight the role of primary cilia as sensory organelles and the importance of calcium channels within them.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing advanced calcium imaging techniques to examine intracellular calcium in the cilioplasm and cytoplasm.
- Employing direct electrophysiological measurements of ionic currents within cilia.
Main Results:
- New tools enable precise localization of intracellular calcium changes within cilia.
- Calcium imaging and electrophysiology confirm primary cilia as sensory organelles housing functional calcium channels.
- The relative contributions of different calcium channel types are beginning to be understood.
Conclusions:
- Intracellular calcium serves as a key functional readout for primary cilia.
- Primary cilia possess diverse calcium channels essential for sensing various environmental stimuli.
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