Ca2+ Signaling: An Outlook on the Characterization of Ca2+ Channels and Their Importance in Cellular Functions

Calcium (Ca2+) is essential in regulating a plethora of cellular functions that includes cell proliferation and differentiation, axonal guidance and cell migration, neuro/enzyme secretion and exocytosis, development/maintenance of neural circuits, cell death and many more. Since Ca2+ regulates so many fundamental processes, it could be anticipated that numerous Ca2+ channels and transporters will assist in regulating Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane. Towards this several Ca2+ channels such as voltage-gated channels, store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) channels, NMDA, AMPA and other ligand gated channels have been identified. In recent years research focus has been targeted towards identification of the precise function of these essential channels. Furthermore, characterization of these individual Ca2+ channels has also gained much attention, since specific Ca2+ channels have been shown to influence a particular cellular response. Moreover, perturbations in these Ca2+ channels have also been implicated in a spectrum of pathological conditions. Hence, understanding the precise involvement of these Ca2+ channels in disease conditions would presumably unveil avenues for plausible therapeutic interventions. We thus review the role of Ca2+ signaling in select disease conditions and also provide experimental evidence as how they can be characterized in a given cell.