Let there be light: a bright future for Ca2+ signaling

• 来源期刊: 科学通报（英文版）
• 年，卷（期）: 2018,（16）
• 页码范围: 1029-1031
• 页数: 3页
• 语种: 英文

摘要

Calcium ion (Ca2+) is a ubiquitous second messenger in eukaryotic cells.In response to electrical,hormonal,or mechanical stimulation,cytosolic Ca2+ levels increase due to Ca2+ influxes through ion channels embedded in the plasma membrane or Ca2+ releases from intracellular Ca2+ stores,such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) [1].The resulting Ca2+ signals control a vast array of cellular activities,ranging from short-term muscle contraction,neurotransmission and cell motility to long-term changes in gene expression and metabolism [2-5].Accordingly,disruption of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis can lead to many human diseases,including cancer,cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders.These highly versatile functions are often dictated by the spatial and temporal patterns of Ca2+ signals through the coordinated actions of a repertoire of Ca2+ signaling components [1,6].Hence,the cure for diseases associated with deregulated Ca2+ signaling calls for maneuvers at high spatiotemporal resolution.