Calcium signalling in glial cells.
Glial cells respond to a variety of external stimuli such as neurotransmitters, hormones or even mechanical stress by generating complex changes in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration. This Ca2+ signal is controlled by an interplay of different mechanisms including plasmalemmal and intracellular Ca2+ channels, Ca2+ transporters and cytoplasmic Ca2+ buffers. In astrocytes, the Ca2+ signal can travel as waves within the syncytium spreading via gap junctions which might be regarded as a possible means for interglial communication. Ca2+ signalling is also an important medium for neurone-glia interaction: neuronal activity can trigger Ca2+ signals in glial cells and, in turn, there is evidence that glial Ca2+ signals can elicit responses in neurones. While glial cells are not equipped with the proper channels to generate action potentials, Ca2+ signalling could be the instrument by which these cells integrate and propagate signals in the CNS.
Verkhratsky
A
A
Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Germany.
Kettenmann
H
H
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology*; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D002118:Calcium