Subplasma membrane Ca2+ signals

McCarron, John and Chalmers, Susan and Olson, Marnie and Girkin, John (2012) Subplasma membrane Ca2+ signals. IUBMB Life, 64 (7). pp. 573-585. (https://doi.org/10.1002/iub.1032)

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Abstract

Ca2+ may selectively activate various processes in part by the cell's ability to localize changes in the concentration of the ion to specific subcellular sites. Interestingly, these Ca2+ signals begin most often at the plasma membrane space so that understanding subplasma membrane signals is central to an appreciation of local signaling. Several experimental procedures have been developed to study Ca2+ signals near the plasma membrane, but probably the most prevalent involve the use of fluorescent Ca2+ indicators and fall into two general approaches. In the first, the Ca2+ indicators themselves are specifically targeted to the subplasma membrane space to measure Ca2+ only there. Alternatively, the indicators are allowed to be dispersed throughout the cytoplasm, but the fluorescence emanating from the Ca2+ signals at the subplasma membrane space is selectively measured using high resolution imaging procedures. Although the targeted indicators offer an immediate appeal because of selectivity and ease of use, their limited dynamic range and slow response to changes in Ca2+ are a shortcoming. Use of targeted indicators is also largely restricted to cultured cells. High resolution imaging applied with rapidly responding small molecule Ca2+ indicators can be used in all cells and offers significant improvements in dynamic range and speed of response of the indicator. The approach is technically difficult, however, and realistic calibration of signals is not possible. In this review, a brief overview of local subplasma membrane Ca2+ signals and methods for their measurement is provided.

ORCID iDs

McCarron, John ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3302-3984, Chalmers, Susan ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8073-7576, Olson, Marnie and Girkin, John;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)