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Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration

Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration

Calcium is an essential signaling molecule required for various cellular functions. Calcium pumps and ion channels on cell and organellar membranes, such as those on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), regulate calcium concentrations inside the cell. They remain closed, keeping the cytosolic calcium levels low at a resting state.
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...

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Updated: Jun 5, 2025

Measuring Near Plasma Membrane and Global Intracellular Calcium Dynamics in Astrocytes

Measuring Near Plasma Membrane and Global Intracellular Calcium Dynamics in Astrocytes

Published on: April 26, 2009

A spatial threshold for astrocyte calcium surge.

Justin Lines¹, Andres Baraibar¹, Carmen Nanclares¹

¹Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States.

|December 16, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Astrocyte calcium signals are crucial for brain function. A spatial threshold of 23% of astrocyte activation is needed for calcium surges, which control neurotransmitter release and neuromodulation.

Keywords:

astrocyte calcium cell biology integration mouse neuroscience synaptic integration

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Last Updated: Jun 5, 2025

Measuring Near Plasma Membrane and Global Intracellular Calcium Dynamics in Astrocytes

Measuring Near Plasma Membrane and Global Intracellular Calcium Dynamics in Astrocytes

Published on: April 26, 2009

Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates

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Published on: March 20, 2014

Imaging Intracellular Ca2+ Signals in Striatal Astrocytes from Adult Mice Using Genetically-encoded Calcium Indicators

Imaging Intracellular Ca2+ Signals in Striatal Astrocytes from Adult Mice Using Genetically-encoded Calcium Indicators

Published on: November 19, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cellular Biology
Astrocyte Biology

Background:

Astrocytes communicate bidirectionally with neurons, playing a key role in brain function.
Astrocyte calcium signaling dynamics are critical but poorly understood, especially how signals propagate within the cell.

Purpose of the Study:

To define the properties governing the spatial dynamics of astrocyte calcium signaling.
To investigate the threshold for calcium signal propagation and its impact on gliotransmitter release.

Main Methods:

In vivo imaging of subcellular astrocyte calcium responses in mice during sensory stimulation.
Utilizing Itpr2-/- mice to study the role of type-2 IP3 receptors.
In situ electrophysiological recordings to assess gliotransmitter release.

Main Results:

Sensory-evoked astrocyte calcium responses initiate in localized domains but propagate globally upon surpassing a spatial threshold (>23% arborization activation).
Type-2 IP3 receptors are essential for generating astrocyte calcium surges.
The spatial threshold for calcium propagation directly influences gliotransmitter release.

Conclusions:

Astrocyte calcium propagation exhibits a fundamental spatial threshold dependent on intrinsic properties.
This threshold regulates the integration of local synaptic activity and subsequent neuromodulation by astrocytes.