Plasma membrane-to-nucleus calcium signaling

Abstract

Calcium is a ubiquitous cellular second messenger that mediates a vast array of cellular processes. Elevation of intracellular calcium activates signaling cascades that are able to target the nucleus, where they modify gene transcription. The eukaryotic cell is wired up in a sophisticated manner to enable it to respond differently to different calcium signals. In this way a single second messenger can exert differing effects within the same cell. © 2005 Humana Press Inc.