title: The organisation and functions of local Ca(2+) signals.
abstract: Calcium (Ca(2+)) is a ubiquitous intracellular messenger, controlling a diverse range of cellular processes, such as gene transcription, muscle contraction and cell proliferation. The ability of a simple ion such as Ca(2+) to play a pivotal role in cell biology results from the facility that cells have to shape Ca(2+) signals in space, time and amplitude. To generate and interpret the variety of observed Ca(2+) signals, different cell types employ components selected from a Ca(2+) signalling 'toolkit', which comprises an array of homeostatic and sensory mechanisms. By mixing and matching components from the toolkit, cells can obtain Ca(2+) signals that suit their physiology. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of local Ca(2+) signals in defining the specificity of the interaction of Ca(2+) with its targets. Furthermore, local Ca(2+) signals are the triggers and building blocks for larger global signals that propagate throughout cells.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Signalling, The Babraham Institute, Babraham, Cambridge, CB2 4AT, UK. martin.bootman@bbsrc.ac.uk
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Bootman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lipp
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Berridge
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D006801:Humans; D017136:Ion Transport; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D009132:Muscles / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D010179:Pancreas / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D002118:Calcium