title: Calcium signaling in cholangiocytes.
abstract: Cytosolic Ca2+ is an important second messenger in virtually every type of cell. Moreover, Ca2+ generally regulates multiple activities within individual cells. This article reviews the cellular machinery that is responsible for Ca2+ signaling in cholangiocytes. In addition, two Ca2+-mediated events in cholangiocytes are discussed: bicarbonate secretion and apoptosis. Finally, emerging evidence is reviewed that Ca2+ signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of diseases affecting the biliary tree and that Ca2+ signaling pathways can be manipulated to therapeutic advantage in the treatment of cholestatic disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, 1 Gilbert Street, Room TAC S241D, New Haven, CT 06519, USA.
authors.forename: Noritaka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Minagawa
authors.forename: Barbara-E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Ehrlich
authors.forename: Michael-H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Nathanson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000378:metabolism; D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D001659:Biliary Tract / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D015290:Second Messenger Systems / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D002118:Calcium