title: Probing the Complexities of Astrocyte Calcium Signaling.
abstract: Astrocytes are abundant glial cells that tile the entire central nervous system and mediate well-established functions for neurons, blood vessels, and other glia. These ubiquitous cells display intracellular Ca(2+) signals, which have been intensely studied for 25 years. Recently, the use of improved methods has unearthed the panoply of astrocyte Ca(2+) signals and a variable landscape of basal Ca(2+) levels. In vivo studies have started to reveal the settings under which astrocytes display behaviorally relevant Ca(2+) signaling. Studies in mice have emphasized how astrocyte Ca(2+) signaling is altered in distinct neurodegenerative diseases. Progress in the past few years, fueled by methodological advances, has thus reignited interest in astrocyte Ca(2+) signaling for brain function and dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan.
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shigetomi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
authors.forename: Sandip
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1751, USA; Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1751, USA. Electronic address: bkhakh@mednet.ucla.edu.
authors.forename: Baljit S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Khakh
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C503160:VC6.1 cameleon protein, recombinant; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D002118:Calcium
keywords: AAV; GCaMP; astrocyte; calcium; imaging