Cellular and subcellular calcium signaling in gastrointestinal epithelium.
Ca2+ is a critical second messenger in virtually all cell types, including the various epithelial cell types within the digestive system. When measured in cell populations, Ca2+ signals usually appear as a single transient or prolonged elevation. In individual epithelial cells, signaling patterns often vary from cell to cell and may contain more complex features such as Ca2+ oscillations. Subcellular Ca2+ signals show a further level of complexity, such as Ca2+ waves, and may relate to the polarized structure and function of epithelial cells. The approaches to detect cytosolic Ca2+ signals, the patterns and mechanisms of Ca2+ signaling, and the role of such signals in regulating the function of polarized epithelium within the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and liver are reviewed in this report.
Nathanson
M H
MH
Liver Study Unit, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D004064:Digestive System / Q000166:cytology*; D004068:Digestive System Physiological Phenomena; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D002118:Calcium