title: Calcium absorption across epithelia.
abstract: Ca(2+) is an essential ion in all organisms, where it plays a crucial role in processes ranging from the formation and maintenance of the skeleton to the temporal and spatial regulation of neuronal function. The Ca(2+) balance is maintained by the concerted action of three organ systems, including the gastrointestinal tract, bone, and kidney. An adult ingests on average 1 g Ca(2+) daily from which 0.35 g is absorbed in the small intestine by a mechanism that is controlled primarily by the calciotropic hormones. To maintain the Ca(2+) balance, the kidney must excrete the same amount of Ca(2+) that the small intestine absorbs. This is accomplished by a combination of filtration of Ca(2+) across the glomeruli and subsequent reabsorption of the filtered Ca(2+) along the renal tubules. Bone turnover is a continuous process involving both resorption of existing bone and deposition of new bone. The above-mentioned Ca(2+) fluxes are stimulated by the synergistic actions of active vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)) and parathyroid hormone. Until recently, the mechanism by which Ca(2+) enter the absorptive epithelia was unknown. A major breakthrough in completing the molecular details of these pathways was the identification of the epithelial Ca(2+) channel family consisting of two members: TRPV5 and TRPV6. Functional analysis indicated that these Ca(2+) channels constitute the rate-limiting step in Ca(2+)-transporting epithelia. They form the prime target for hormonal control of the active Ca(2+) flux from the intestinal lumen or urine space to the blood compartment. This review describes the characteristics of epithelial Ca(2+) transport in general and highlights in particular the distinctive features and the physiological relevance of the new epithelial Ca(2+) channels accumulating in a comprehensive model for epithelial Ca(2+) absorption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Nijmegen Center for Moecular Life Sciences, University Medical Center Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joost G J
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Hoenderop
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nilius
authors.forename: René J M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bindels
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D002118:Calcium