Calcium signaling in microglial cells.
Receptor-mediated Ca(2+) signals are a common signal transduction mechanism in all living cells, including microglia. Recent years have brought major advances in our understanding of microglial Ca(2+) signaling. More than 20 receptor/ligand interactions leading to Ca(2+) signals in microglia have been described so far, and it seems that this is just the beginning. The literature has grown rapidly during the past few years, especially in regard to chemokine and ATP/UTP receptor signaling. This article presents a brief overview of the basics of Ca(2+) signaling, reviews the current literature on microglial Ca(2+) signaling, and discusses the current challenges and possible future directions of this emerging field.
Möller
Thomas
T
Department of Neurology, Box 356465, 1959 NE Pacific St., University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195.
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017628:Microglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000378:metabolism
D015220:Calcium Channels; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D002118:Calcium