Phosphoinositide metabolism and Ca2+ oscillation

The main pathways of hydrolysis and synthesis of phosphoinositides, metabolism of inositol phosphates and their role in animal and human cells are reviewed, Mechanisms of regulation of phospholipase C and other key enzymes of phosphoinositide metabolism by hormones and growth factors are discussed. The mechanisms of regulation of metabolism and cellular activity by second messengers formed during activation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis are considered. Special attention is given to the regulation of cytoplasmic Ca2+ level by inositol phosphates. The review summarizes data on formation and possible biological role of inositol phosphates and phosphoinositides containing phosphate at position 3. The role of phosphoinositides in the interaction of cellular membranes with proteins of the cytoskeleton is considered.