INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM OSCILLATIONS IN EXCITABLE AND NONEXCITABLE CELLS: A REVIEW

Abstract

Calcium level in a cell controls different activities of a cell. The role of free calcium ion in the cytosol of excitable and non-excitable cells is different. Excitable cells like a neuron, muscle cell, and astrocyte control different physiological activities including neurotransmitter, glia transmitter release, apoptosis and necrosis etc while in non-excitable cell calcium causes the release of important chemicals like histamine. In excitable cells, secretory functions are regulated by direct entry of calcium into the cytoplasm while in non-excitable cells release of calcium from intracellular storage that may modulate the second messenger and the secretion is via second messenger system. Molecular study on calcium oscillation pattern in the different living cell indicates frequency and amplitude characteristics. Intracellular communication between neighbouring cells also takes place through calcium. In brain and other nervous tissue, cellular communication between neuron and astrocyte take place through calcium oscillation signal.