Letter abstract
Nature Cell Biology 5, 440 - 446 (2003)
Published online: 22 April 2003 | doi:10.1038/ncb980
Regulation of calcium signals in the nucleus by a nucleoplasmic reticulum
Wihelma Echevarría1, M. Fatima Leite2, Mateus T. Guerra3, Warren R. Zipfel4 & Michael H. Nathanson3
Calcium is a second messenger in virtually all cells and tissues1. Calcium signals in the nucleus have effects on gene transcription and cell growth that are distinct from those of cytosolic calcium signals; however, it is unknown how nuclear calcium signals are regulated. Here we identify a reticular network of nuclear calcium stores that is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum and the nuclear envelope. This network expresses inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptors, and the nuclear component of InsP3-mediated calcium signals begins in its locality. Stimulation of these receptors with a little InsP3 results in small calcium signals that are initiated in this region of the nucleus. Localized release of calcium in the nucleus causes nuclear protein kinase C (PKC) to translocate to the region of the nuclear envelope, whereas release of calcium in the cytosol induces translocation of cytosolic PKC to the plasma membrane. Our findings show that the nucleus contains a nucleoplasmic reticulum with the capacity to regulate calcium signals in localized subnuclear regions. The presence of such machinery provides a potential mechanism by which calcium can simultaneously regulate many independent processes in the nucleus.
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-801, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Departments of Medicine and Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-801, USA
- Department of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2501, USA
Correspondence to: Michael H. Nathanson3 e-mail: michael.nathanson@yale.edu
|
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated REFERENCE RESEARCH |
