News in Physiological Sciences, Vol 3, 244-249, Copyright © 1988 by International Union of Physiological Sciences
Control of Calcium Influx in Cells Without Action Potentials
DV Gallacher
A common effect of neurotransmitters and hormones that stimulate the
metabolism of inositol lipids is the ability to increase the permeability
of membranes to Ca2+. This effect occurs at surface membranes by the influx
of Ca2+ from extracellular to intracellular fluid and at internal
membranes by release of Ca2+ sequestered in intracellular organelles.
Recent evidence suggests that it is the inositol polyphosphate products of
lipid metabolism that regulate Ca2+ fluxes across both internal and cell
surface membranes.
