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Nature 441, 163-165 (11 May 2006) | doi:10.1038/441163a; Published online 10 May 2006

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Cell biology: Cracking the calcium entry code

Anant B. Parekh1

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A sharp increase in the concentration of calcium ions in a cell is a key biological signal. Now a vital component of a major route by which calcium ions flow into cells has been identified.

Communication between and within cells is essential for the development and survival of any complex organism. Cells converse with each other mainly through a complement of chemical messengers, including neurotransmitters and hormones, that impinge on the cell surface, generating further signals (second messengers) within the cell that elicit the appropriate responses.

  1. Anant B. Parekh is in the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK.
    Email: anant.parekh@physiol.ox.ac.uk

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