Calcium Dynamics as a Machine for Decoding Signals. Issue 4 (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giorgi, Carlotta; Danese, Alberto; Missiroli, Sonia; Patergnani, Simone; Pinton, Paolo
• Is Part Of: Trends in cell biology. Volume 28:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 258
• Page End: 273
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: calcium -- mitochondria -- cell cycle -- cell death -- inflammation -- cancer -- ischemia -- neuron; Cytology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Research -- Periodicals; 571.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2018.01.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0962-8924

Abstract

Abstract : Calcium (Ca 2+ ) is considered one of the most-important biological cations, because it is implicated in cell physiopathology and cell fate through a finely tuned signaling system. In support of this notion, Ca 2+ is the primary driver of cell proliferation and cell growth; however, it is also intimately linked to cell death. Functional abnormalities or mutations in proteins that mediate Ca 2+ homeostasis usually lead to a plethora of diseases and pathogenic states, including cancer, heart failure, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disease. In this review, we examine recent discoveries in the highly localized nature of Ca 2+ -dependent signal transduction and its roles in cell fate, inflammasome activation, and synaptic transmission. Highlights: Ca 2+ homeostasis alterations lead to defects in cell cycle progression. inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors are a target of oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Ca 2+ signaling has an important but still controversial role in inflammasome activation. Ca 2+ signaling has a key role in synaptic activity and plasticity as well as in neurodegeneration. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) is not essential for homeostatic cardiac function.