Abstract
Receptor-induced Ca2+ signals involve both Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and extracellular Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane. The channels mediating Ca2+ entry and the mechanisms controlling their function remain largely a mystery. Here we critically assess current views on the Ca2+ entry process and consider certain modifications to the widely held hypothesis that Ca2+ store emptying is the fundamental trigger for receptor-induced Ca2+ entry channels. Under physiological conditions, receptor-induced store depletion may be quite limited. A number of distinct channel activities appear to mediate receptor-induced Ca2+ entry, and their activation is observed to occur through quite diverse coupling processes.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Journal | Science's STKE : signal transduction knowledge environment |
Volume | 2004 |
Issue number | 243 |
State | Published - 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |