Abstract
Agonist-evoked, intracellular Ca2+-signalling events are associated with active extrusion of Ca2+ across the plasma membrane, implying a local increase in Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]) at the extracellular face of the cell. The possibility that these external [Ca2+] changes may have specific physiological functions has received little consideration in the past. Here we show that, at physiological ambient [Ca2+], Ca2+ mobilization in one cell produces an extracellular signal that can be detected in nearby cells expressing the extracellular Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaR), a cell-surface receptor for divalent cations with a widespread tissue distribution. The CaR may therefore mediate a universal form of intercellular communication that allows cells to be informed of the Ca2+-signalling status of their neighbours.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Aniline Compounds / pharmacology
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Animals
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Buffers
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Calcium / agonists
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Calcium / antagonists & inhibitors
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Calcium / metabolism*
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Calcium / pharmacology
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Calcium Signaling* / drug effects
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Cell Communication* / drug effects
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Cell Line
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Cell Membrane / drug effects
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Cell Membrane / metabolism
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Coculture Techniques
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Cricetinae
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Fura-2 / metabolism
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Humans
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Kidney / cytology
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Kidney / drug effects
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Kidney / metabolism
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Pancreas / cytology
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Pancreas / drug effects
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Pancreas / metabolism
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Paracrine Communication / drug effects
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Receptors, Calcium-Sensing
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Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
Substances
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Aniline Compounds
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Buffers
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NPS R-467
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Receptors, Calcium-Sensing
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Receptors, Cell Surface
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Calcium
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Fura-2