Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2025

Direct Imaging of ER Calcium with Targeted-Esterase Induced Dye Loading TED
Published on: May 7, 2013
Decoding how receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) mediate nuclear calcium signaling
María José González Armijos1, Thais Fernandes Bassani1, Clara Couto Fernandez1
1Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Spatial patterns of calcium (Ca2+) signals are crucial for cellular processes. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) initiate nuclear calcium signaling, impacting cell proliferation and gene transcription.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Signaling
Background:
- Calcium (Ca2+) acts as a versatile intracellular messenger regulating diverse cellular functions.
- Spatial patterns of Ca2+ signals, rather than concentration alone, dictate cellular responses.
- Nuclear Ca2+ signaling mechanisms remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) trafficking to the nucleus.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which RTKs initiate nuclear calcium signaling.
- To connect RTK-mediated nuclear Ca2+ signaling to cell proliferation and gene transcription.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on RTK trafficking and nuclear Ca2+ signaling.
- Analysis of signaling pathways involving phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) hydrolysis and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) formation.
- Integration of findings on growth factor effects on cell proliferation and gene transcription.
Main Results:
- Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) traffic to the nucleus.
- RTKs initiate nuclear Ca2+ signaling via PIP2 hydrolysis and InsP3 production.
- Nuclear Ca2+ signaling is implicated in growth factor-induced cell proliferation and gene transcription.
Conclusions:
- RTK trafficking to the nucleus is a key step in initiating nuclear Ca2+ signaling.
- Nuclear Ca2+ signaling pathways regulated by RTKs play critical roles in cellular processes.
- Understanding these mechanisms provides insights into growth factor actions on cells.
Related Concept Videos
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
MAPK Signaling Cascades
Amplifying Signals via Second Messengers
Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade
Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...

