title: Neuronal Ca2+ stores: activation and function.
abstract: The intracellular concentration of free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) displays complex fluctuations in response to a variety of stimuli, and acts as a pluripotent signal for many neuronal functions. It is well established that various 'metabotropic' neurotransmitter receptors can mediate the mobilization of Ca2+ stores via actions of inositol-polyphosphate second messengers, and more recent evidence suggests that 'ionotropic' receptor-mediated Ca2+ signals in neurones might also involve release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. These two mechanisms of release of Ca2+ enable considerable temporal and spatial complexity of increases in the [Ca2+]i via multiple interactions at the level of intracellular-receptor activation. The complexity of Ca2+ signalling that is elicited via these interconnecting pathways might underlie mechanisms that are central to information transfer and integration within neuronal compartments.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Cell Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Challiss
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Nahorski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium