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Calcium, a Cell Cycle Commander, Drives Colon Cancer Cell Diffpoptosis
1Hormones Department (Cancer Biology and Nano-Drug Delivery Group), Medical Research Division, National Research Center, Cairo, 12622 Egypt.
Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry : IJCB
|February 3, 2017
Summary
Calcium, the cell commander, regulates cell life and death. This review explores calcium
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Calcium ions (Ca2+) are critical intracellular signals regulating diverse cellular processes.
- The role of calcium evolved from a cellular toxin to a master regulator in eukaryotic cells.
- Understanding calcium's multifaceted roles is key to comprehending cell fate and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse functions of calcium as a regulator of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
- To highlight calcium's pivotal role in colon cell development and programmed cell death.
- To examine calcium signaling dysregulation in colorectal cancer and its therapeutic implications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on calcium signaling in various cell types and tissues.
- Analysis of calcium's involvement in the cell cycle and differentiation pathways.
- Investigation of calcium's role in colorectal cancer progression and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Calcium, often mediated by calmodulin, directs key cell cycle events.
- In the colon, calcium drives progenitor cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
- Carcinogenesis involves the disabling and bypassing of calcium-dependent control mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Calcium is a master regulator of cell persistence, progression, and apoptosis, particularly in colorectal cancer.
- Insights into calcium's mechanisms in cancer offer potential for chemoprevention strategies.
- Targeting calcium signaling pathways may provide novel therapeutic avenues for colorectal cancer.
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