Store-operated calcium channels: how do we measure them, and why do we care?
A major mechanism whereby calcium entry into cells is regulated is the store-operated or capacitative calcium entry pathway. In this article, two basic issues are discussed: (i) the methods investigators use to measure store-operated entry, and (ii) the role played by the store-operated pathway in responses to hormones and neurotransmitters under physiological conditions. The two topics are considered together because they are closely interrelated; as we begin to ask questions about calcium movements at low concentrations of agonists, the technology to measure these movements becomes increasing challenging.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Post Office Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. putney@niehs.nih.gov
James W
JW
Putney
D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000379:methods*
D015220:Calcium Channels