[Frontiers in Bioscience 14, 2004-2016, January 1, 2009]

[Frontiers in Bioscience 14, 2004-2016, January 1, 2009]

Differential calcium signalling in neuronal-glial networks

Alexei Verkhratsky^1,2, Miroslava Anderova¹, Alexandr Chvatal¹

1Institute of Experimental Medicine, ASCR, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic, ²Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction: Glial-neuronal networks as a substrate for brain function
3. Molecular physiology of calcium signalling and calcium excitability
4. Calcium signalling in neurones
5. Calcium signalling in glial cells: 5.1. Ca2+-permeable plasmalemmal channels; 5.2. Endoplasmic reticulum takes the leading role in glial Ca2+ signalling; 5.3. Ca2+ extrusion
6. Propagating glial Ca2+ waves
7. Ca2+ signals control communications in neuronal-glial networks via release of gliotransmitters
8. Calcium signalling integrate neuronal-glial-vascular units: 8.1. Astroglia define brain microarchitecture; 8.2. Astrocytes form neuronal-glial-vascular units
9. Conclusions
10. Acknowledgements
11. References

1. ABSTRACT

Calcium ions are the probably the most ancient, the most universal and omnipresent intracellular signalling molecules, which are involved in regulation of a host of cellular functional reactions. In the nervous system Ca²⁺ signalling is intimately involved in information transfer and integration within neural circuits. Local Ca²⁺signals or Ca²⁺ microdomains control neurotransmitter release; more global Ca²⁺ signals regulate synaptic strength and accomplish postsynaptic processing. In the glial syncytium Ca²⁺ ions provide for glial "Ca²⁺ excitability", convey long-range signalling by means of propagating Ca²⁺ waves and control the release of gliotransmitters. Differential Ca²⁺ signals in various elements of neural circuits represent therefore molecular mechanisms of integration in the nervous system.