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Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Single-Cell Calcium Imaging for Studying the Activation of Calcium Ion Channels
Published on: December 13, 2024
Physiological application of nanoparticles in calcium-related proteins and channels
1Department of Physiology, Lee Gil Ya Cancer & Diabetes Institute, College of Medicine, Gachon University, 155 Getbeolro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21999, South Korea.
Abstract:
Nanoparticles (NPs) have been studied as therapeutic drug-delivery agents for promising clinical trial outcomes. Nanomaterial-based drugs can transfer conventional drugs to target lesions, such as tumors, with increasing efficiency by enhancing drug-cell interaction or drug absorption. Although they are favorable as efficient drug transfer systems, NPs also exhibit cytotoxicity that affects nonpathological regions. Here, we review the basic information behind NP-induced Ca2+ signaling and its participation in channel physiology and pathology. NPs are observed to demonstrate inhibitory or active effects on Ca2+ signaling. Thus, understanding Ca2+ signaling by NPs as a key mechanism in signal transduction will progress the application of nano-drugs in various diseases without deleterious effect.
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