Calcium channels

<p>From: THE EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AT LOW CONCENTRATIONS&nbsp;<a id="null" class="null" href="http://www.imp.lodz.pl/upload/oficyna/artykuly/pdf/full/Marth7-04-01.pdf">http://www.imp.lodz.pl/upload/oficyna/artykuly/pdf/full/Marth7-04-01.pdf</a>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The activity of calcium channels is regulated by a wide variety of intracellular signaling pathways. Probably the three best understood are: (i) binding and activation of calmodulin, (ii) phosphorylation by several protein kinases, and (iii) binding of G protein &beta;n subunits. These pathways not only modulate calcium channel activity but they are themselves modulated in various ways by calcium influx through calcium channels, and many interact with one another. Thus, complex feedback mechanisms among calcium channels and intracellular signaling exist, and are likely the targets for both environmental and genetic disorders. Calcium channels play key, but far from exclusive, roles in regulating intracellular calcium homeostasis. Both pathologic conditions and toxicologic insult (e.g. by methylmercury, lead or other metals) produce alterations in calcium homeostasis</p>