The calcium messenger system

Abstract

Calcium ion acts as an intracellular messenger of various types of extracellular signals including hormones, neurotransmitters, cytokines and growth factors. Recent advances in the research of the calcium messenger system have provided informations as to the structure and function of many proteins involved in the messenger system. Also, technical advances in the measurement of the dynamics of calcium ion in a small cell have made it possible to better understand the role of calcium in the activation of the cell. In the present review, a picture of the calcium messenger system is presented.