Calcium signalling in glial cells

Tools

Item Type:	Article
Title:	Calcium signalling in glial cells
Creators Name:	Verkhratsky, A. and Kettenmann, H.
Abstract:	Glial cells respond to a variety of external stimuli such as neurotransmitters, hormones or even mechanical stress by generating complex changes in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration. This Ca2+ signal is controlled by an interplay of different mechanisms including plasmalemmal and intracellular Ca2+ channels, Ca2+ transporters and cytoplasmic Ca2+ buffers. In astrocytes, the Ca2+ signal can travel as waves within the syncytium spreading via gap junctions which might be regarded as a possible means for interglial communication. Ca2+ signalling is also an important medium for neurone-glia interaction: neuronal activity can trigger Ca2+ signals in glial cells and, in turn, there is evidence that glial Ca2+ signals can elicit responses in neurones. While glial cells are not equipped with the proper channels to generate action potentials, Ca2+ signalling could be the instrument by which these cells integrate and propagate signals in the CNS.
Keywords:	Calcium, Neuroglia, Neurotransmitter Receptors, Signal Transduction, Animals
Source:	Trends in Neurosciences
ISSN:	0166-2236
Publisher:	Elsevier
Volume:	19
Number:	8
Page Range:	346-352
Date:	1 August 1996
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1016/0166-2236(96)10048-5
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

Repository Staff Only: item control page