Calpain Activation by Ca2+ and Its Role in Phagocytosis

Abstract

Although the cytosolic Ca2+ signalling event in phagocytosis is well established, and the mechanism for generating such signals also understood, the target for the Ca2+ signal and how this relates to the phagocytic outcome is less clear. In this chapter, we present the evidence for a role of the Ca2+ activated protease, calpain, in phagocytosis. The abundant evidence for Ca2+ changes and calpain activation during cell shape changes is extended to include the specific cell shape change which accompanies phagocytosis. The discussion therefore includes a brief description of the domain structure of calpain and their functions. Also the mechanism by which calpain activation is limited at the cell periphery subdomains, and how this would allow phagocytic pseudopodia to form locally.