Cell biology Channelling calcium

Rises in the level of calcium ions inside cells are key biological signals. A long-sought protein involved in the "store-operated" process by which calcium ions enter cells has now been identified. Calcium ions are important biological signals, controlling processes such as protein secreti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 2001-04, Vol.410 (6829), p.648-649
Main Author: Putney, James W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Calcium Channels - genetics
Calcium Channels - metabolism
Calcium Signaling
TRPC Cation Channels
TRPV Cation Channels
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Summary:Rises in the level of calcium ions inside cells are key biological signals. A long-sought protein involved in the "store-operated" process by which calcium ions enter cells has now been identified. Calcium ions are important biological signals, controlling processes such as protein secretion, muscle contraction, cell death and development. Calcium signalling involves an increase in the concentration of calcium ions inside cells, and one of the mechanisms by which this occurs is called capacitative calcium entry, also known as store-operated calcium entry. This process requires the regulated opening of ion channels in the cellular outer membrane, the plasma membrane. But it is not certain which molecules constitute the channels, and until these molecules are identified, our understanding of this important process will remain limited. Yue and colleagues present evidence implicating a newly discovered protein, CaT1, as a constituent of the ion-conducting pore of a capacitative calcium-entry channel. Their discovery may lead to a deeper understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanism by which this channel is controlled.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/35070704