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The Role of Calcium in Intracellular Trafficking
- Source: Current Molecular Medicine, Volume 10, Issue 8, Nov 2010, p. 763 - 773
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- 01 Nov 2010
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Abstract
The molecular mechanism of membrane fusion essential to vital cellular activities such as intracellular transport, hormone secretion, enzyme release, or neurotransmission, involve the assembly and disassembly of a specialized set of proteins in opposing bilayers. Recent evidences shed new light on the role Ca2+ has in the regulation of this mechanism in which the Golgi apparatus works as a central station; from here, Ca2+ ions are released into and recovered from the cytosol during the different steps of the cargo progression. In fact, transient cytosolic Ca2+ fluctuations take a crucial role to recruit proteins and enzymes Ca2+-sensitive on Golgi membranes where they are involved in membranes remodelling which is fundamental process for the fusion events that allow protein trafficking. Here I provide an overview of the role Ca2+ plays in intra-Golgi trafficking underlying some interesting aspects to clarify the mechanisms of cargo progression.