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Calcium influx and its control by calcium release
1Department of Membrane Biophysics, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|June 1, 1993
Summary
Capacitative calcium entry, a key pathway for cellular signaling, involves calcium-selective ion channels activated by depleted intracellular stores. Research is beginning to characterize these channels, paving the way to understand this crucial calcium influx mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) concentration changes are vital for cellular signal transduction.
- Receptor-mediated Ca2+ influx mechanisms are diverse and critical for cell function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms of capacitative calcium entry (CCE).
- To characterize the biophysical properties of plasma membrane currents involved in CCE.
Main Methods:
- Identification of plasma membrane currents after depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores.
- Characterization of the biophysical properties of these currents.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the existence of Ca2+-selective ion channels in the plasma membrane responsible for CCE.
- Identified plasma membrane currents activated by the depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores.
Conclusions:
- CCE is a significant pathway for calcium influx, activated by the depletion of intracellular calcium stores.
- Characterizing these currents opens avenues for understanding the molecular components and activation mechanisms of CCE.