title: Ca2+ transport and cell activation.
abstract: The role of the Ca2+ ion as a second messenger in various processes of cell activation is reviewed. In a resting cell the cytosolic Ca2+ activity is about 10(-7) M. When activated there is a Ca2+ inflow into cells or Ca2+ release from internal storage sites, which lead to an increase in the cytosolic Ca2+ activity to 10(-6)-10(-5) M. This subsequently leads to an activation of any Ca2+ sensitive processes within cells. Such activities include muscle contraction, secretion, energy metabolism, mitosis or meiosis. Pharmacological aspects of cellular Ca2+ metabolism are also discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002147:Calmodulin / Q000378:metabolism; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002455:Cell Division; D002477:Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D007476:Ionophores / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D009417:Nerve Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D002147:Calmodulin; D007473:Ion Channels; D007476:Ionophores; D002118:Calcium