Protein families that mediate Ca2+ signaling in the cardiovascular system.
Five protein families are known to participate in the signaling cascades that enable calcium ions (Ca2+) to regulate functions in the cardiovascular system. Ca2+ signaling is involved in muscle contraction, pacemaking, and perhaps cell growth and differentiation. Recent evidence about the molecular properties of Ca2+ regulatory proteins has suggested possibilities for new therapeutic agents, including T-type Ca2+ channel blockers for patients with cardiovascular disease. This article reviews new information about Ca2+ signaling in the heart, vascular smooth muscle, and other tissues.
Cardiology Division, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, USA.
A M
AM
Katz
D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D003600:Cytosol / Q000502:physiology; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology; D012519:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D015220:Calcium Channels; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D002118:Calcium