title: The microanatomy of calcium stores in human neutrophils: relationship of structure to function.
abstract: As changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ play key roles in coupling responses in neutrophils, it is important to locate and identify Ca2+ storage sites within these cells. Here, recent data is presented which highlights the functional link between microanatomical structure and cell signalling function. Fluorescent optical probes for cytosolic free Ca2+ have been used, together with organelle specific markers. We present evidence from conventional fluorescence microscopy, together with ratiometric and confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy, which pin-points two cellular locations for Ca2+ within the neutrophil; one within the nuclear lobes, and the other towards the cell periphery. Knowledge of these two locations provides a clear insight into how signalling in this cell type is regulated and provides a framework for explaining how specific stimuli act to produce specific responses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, U.K.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Pettit
authors.forename: E V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Hallett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium