title: Calcium signals and calcium channels in osteoblastic cells.
abstract: Calcium (Ca2+) channels are present in non-excitable as well as in excitable cells. In bone cells of the osteoblast lineage, Ca2+ channels play fundamental roles in cellular responses to external stimuli including both mechanical forces and hormonal signals. They are also proposed to modulate paracrine signaling between bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts at local sites of bone remodeling. Calcium signals are characterized by transient increases in intracellular Ca2+ levels that are associated with activation of intracellular signaling pathways that control cell behavior and phenotype, including patterns of gene expression. Development of Ca2+ signals is a tightly regulated cellular process that involves the concerted actions of plasma membrane and intracellular Ca2+ channels, along with Ca2+ pumps and exchangers. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge concerning the structure, function, and role of Ca2+ channels and Ca2+ signals in bone cells, focusing on the osteoblast.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Akanbi
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Farach-Carson
mesh_terms: D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D002118:Calcium