Calcium signalling in hair cells: multiple roles in a compact cell.
Ca2+ is critical for mechanosensory adaptation, frequency tuning, afferent synaptic transmission, and efferent modulation in hair cells. These four processes involve cytoplasmic Ca2+ in three independent signalling pathways. Recent work suggests that Ca2+ regulates a myosin adaptation motor, and that a mobile Ca2+ buffer is highly concentrated in hair cells. Focal Ca2+ entry and the cytoplasmic Ca2+ buffer help to separate these pathways by limiting the spread of Ca2+ signals.
Lenzi
D
D
Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene 97403-1254.
Roberts
W M
WM
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D002118:Calcium