The role of Ca2 in the regulation of intracellular transport

Abstract

It is known that cytosolic Ca2+ is essential for signalling, cell-cycle function, cell growth, cell death and other functions (Gill et al. 1996; Orrenius etal. 2003). Recent evidence has also highlighted the functional importance of Ca2+ for intracellular trafficking, and in particular for the fusion of endomembranes, with further functions inside the lumen of Golgi cisternae and other endomembranes. In this chapter we will discuss these latter roles of Ca2+ mechanisms in the regulation of intracellular trafficking (see also Chapter 2.1).