Calcium signaling and its interacting networks are involved in mediating numerous processes including gene expression, excitation-contraction coupling, stimulus-secretion coupling, synaptic transmission, induction of synaptic plasticity, and embryonic development. Many structures, organelles, receptors, channels, calcium-binding proteins, pumps, transporters, enzymes, and transcription factors are involved in the generation and decoding of the different calcium signals in different cells. Powerful methods for measuring calcium concentrations, advanced statistical methods, and biophysical simulations are being used for modelling calcium signals. Calcium signaling is being studied in many cells, and in many model organisms to understand the mechanisms of many physiological processes, and the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cancers, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Studies in calcium signaling are being used for understanding the mechanisms of actions of drugs, and for discovery of new drugs for the prevention and treatment of many diseases.
Keywords: Calcium and cancer; Calcium and diabetes; Calcium and gene expression; Calcium binding proteins; Calcium channels; Calcium oscillations; Calcium pumps; Calcium signaling; Calcium-sensing receptor; Excitation-contraction coupling; Stimulus-secretion coupling.