Ca2+ signaling in pancreatic acinar cells: physiology and pathophysiology.
The pancreatic acinar cell is a classical model for studies of secretion and signal transduction mechanisms. Because of the extensive endoplasmic reticulum and the large granular compartment, it has been possible--by direct measurements--to obtain considerable insights into intracellular Ca2+ handling under both normal and pathological conditions. Recent studies have also revealed important characteristics of stimulus-secretion coupling mechanisms in isolated human pancreatic acinar cells. The acinar cells are potentially dangerous because of the high intra-granular concentration of proteases, which become inappropriately activated in the human disease acute pancreatitis. This disease is due to toxic Ca2+ signals generated by excessive liberation of Ca2+ from both the endoplasmic reticulum and the secretory granules.
Petersen
O H
OH
MRC Group, Physiological Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. o.h.petersen@liv.ac.uk
D000208:Acute Disease; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D046790:Pancreas, Exocrine / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*