细胞凋亡中的钙离子调控

凋亡是细胞的一种生理性、主动性的自杀行为,它使机体能够有效清除多余或病态的细胞。作为细胞内普遍存在的第二信使,Ca2 在信号转导过程中发挥重要作用。它能够将细胞感受的刺激转化为其在不同细胞组分间的分布差异及自身浓度的振荡,这种在细胞内和细胞间的波动协调了细胞生命活动的各个方面。以往的研究认为细胞内Ca2 浓度的升高是凋亡进行到后期的结果,而最近的研究发现Ca2 也可以在凋亡通路的各个层次,通过不同的方式精细调控凋亡的进程,这构成了凋亡中复杂的钙调控网络。现对钙离子和线粒体凋亡途径中分子间的复杂联系以及钙调控细胞凋亡研究的最新进展进行综述。

The Regulation of Calcium Signaling in Apoptosis

Apoptosis is an active form of cell death which is intricately regulated and distinct from necrosis. It is crucial for animal and human development, organ morphogenesis, tissue homeostasis, and the removal of infected or redundant cells. Calcium ion has been known for a long time to play an important role in intracellular signal transduction, acting as a 'second messenger' of various types of extracellular signals. The oscillations and waves of calcium can coordinate many rhythmic activities of cells. Previous studies assume that the increase of Ca2 level is a consequence of apoptosis. However, recent investigations indicate Ca2 signal could participate not only in the execution phase but also induction phase of apoptosis. In this article, we review the latest progress on calcium signaling study in apoptosis.