Rapidly exchanging Ca2+ stores of non-muscle cells.
The rapid and transient redistribution of calcium from intracellular stores is a key event of cell activation. The nature and molecular composition of intracellular Ca2+ stores of non-muscle cells are the object of intense investigation. In this paper, we review: (a) the experimental evidence in favor of the existence of intracellular, membrane-bound compartments specialized for uptake, storage and release of calcium, (b) the main protein components of rapidly exchanging Ca2+ stores, i.e. Ca2+ pump, intralumenal Ca2+ binding proteins (calsequestrin, calreticulin, etc.) and Ca2+ channels sensitive to either inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate or Ca2+, caffeine and ryanodine, and (c) the relationship between Ca2+ stores and the endoplasmic reticulum.
Volpe
P
P
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
Pozzan
T
T
Meldolesi
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002451:Cell Compartmentation / Q000502:physiology*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D002118:Calcium