Ca(2+) signaling, genes and the cell cycle

Cell Calcium. 2010 Nov;48(5):243-50. doi: 10.1016/j.ceca.2010.10.003. Epub 2010 Nov 16.

Abstract

Changes in the concentration and spatial distribution of Ca(2+) ions in the cytoplasm constitute a ubiquitous intracellular signaling module in cellular physiology. With the advent of Ca(2+) dyes that allow direct visualization of Ca(2+) transients, combined with powerful experimental tools such as electrophysiological recordings, intracellular Ca(2+) transients have been implicated in practically every aspect of cellular physiology, including cellular proliferation. Ca(2+) signals are associated with different phases of the cell cycle and interfering with Ca(2+) signaling or downstream pathways often disrupts progression of the cell cycle. Although there exists a dependence between Ca(2+) signals and the cell cycle the mechanisms involved are not well defined and given the cross-talk between Ca(2+) and other signaling modules, it is difficult to assess the exact role of Ca(2+) signals in cell cycle progression. Two exceptions however, include fertilization and T-cell activation, where well-defined roles for Ca(2+) signals in mediating progression through specific stages of the cell cycle have been clearly established. In the case of T-cell activation Ca(2+) regulates entry into the cell cycle through the induction of gene transcription.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anura
  • Calcium Signaling / genetics*
  • Calcium Signaling / immunology
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology*
  • Cell Cycle / physiology*
  • Female
  • Fertilization / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Meiosis / genetics
  • Oocytes / cytology
  • Oocytes / physiology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology