Intracellular Calcium as a Second Messenger

Abstract

Intracellular calcium serves as a second messenger for the control of a variety of cell functions, including secretion, contraction, phototransduction, cell division and differentiation, and potassium and sodium permeability. Since many aspects of calcium metabolism are strikingly similar in very diverse cell types, we will focus on certain general features of calcium metabolism that are applicable to a large variety of cells. Our objective is to gain some understanding of why calcium is such a good second messenger.