Calcium-transport proteins: mechanisms of function and their role in disease.

Calcium in the cytosol of cells carries information for virtually all processes important to cell life (proliferation, differentiation, proper functioning of differentiated cells) but also transmits signals that promote the ultimate dying of the cell. When escapint control, calcium may become dangerous for cells and lead to a variety of diseases. The calcium needed to control all these activities comes from outside the cell and from intracellular calcium stores. Calcium influx into the cell from the extracellular medium mainly occurs through plasma-membrane calcium channels including the transient receptor potential (TRP) family of ion channels. Calcium that is taken up in the stores by calcium pumps is released via mainly inositol trisphosphate receptors and ryanodine receptors. The general aim of the present proposal is to unravel the mechanism of function and the physiological role of novel proteins that set up cytosolic calcium signals. Especially proteins that are involved in human diseases will be selected: TRP channels, inositol trisphosphate receptors and SERCA and SPCA calcium pumps.

Keywords:Calcium channel, apoptosis, Calcium pump, Calcium, Electrophysiology, TRP

Disciplines:Laboratory medicine, Palliative care and end-of-life care, Regenerative medicine, Other basic sciences, Other health sciences, Nursing, Other paramedical sciences, Other translational sciences, Other medical and health sciences, Physiology, Biophysics