Norbert Weiss • Alexandra Koschak
Editors

2014

Calcium ions (Ca2?) represent one of the most versatile second messengers in
eukaryotic cells, and changes in the intracellular Ca2? concentration regulate
many cellular physiological functions as diverse as gene transcription, muscle
contraction, neurotransmission fertilization and more. In order to make use and
regulate the amplitude, duration and subcellular localization of the Ca2? signal,
cells have developed a complex machinery, the Ca2? signaling toolkit, initially
introduced by Sir Michael Berridge, where Ca2? channels play a key role in the
initiation of the Ca2? signal.