Calcium Signalling in Platelets and Other Cells

Abstract

Reviewed are new concepts and models of Ca²⁺ signalling originating from work with various animal cells, as well as the applicability of these models to the signalling systems used by blood platelets. The following processes and mechanisms are discussed: Ca²⁺ oscillations and waves; Ca²⁺ -induced Ca²⁺ release; involvement of InsP₃-receptors and quanta1 release of Ca²⁺; different pathways of phospholipase C activation; heterogeneity in the intracellular Ca²⁺ stores; store-and receptor-regulated Ca²⁺ entry. Additionally, some typical aspects of Ca²⁺ signalling in platelets are reviewed: involvement of protein serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases in the regulation of signal transduction; possible functions of platelet glycoproteins; and the importance of Ca²⁺ for the exocytotic and procoagulant responses.