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Ligand-gated entry

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Calcium may be triggered to enter a cell by the binding of a chemical (primary) messenger to a plasma membrane protein receptor. A protein pore associated with the receptor may then open allowing calcium entry. Alternatively, the following pathway is initiated:

  • the ligand-receptor complex, via activation of a membrane-bound G protein, activates the enzyme phosphoinositidase (phospholipase) C
  • the enzyme cleaves a membrane lipid, phosphoinositide-4,5-biphosphate (PIP2) into diacylglyerol (DG) and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3)
  • IP3 is able to diffuse to intracellular calcium stores e.g. microsomes where it can trigger calcium ion release
  • diacylglycerol is capable of activating a membrane-bound enzyme, protein kinase C, which phosphorylates, and so activates, further enzymes within the cell
  • IP3 is broken down by a number of phosphatase enzymes within the cell and PIP2 is regenerated

Receptors which are capable of activating phospholipase C include:

  • muscarinic receptors
  • alpha-1-adrenoreceptors
  • histamine H1 receptors
  • serotonin receptors
  • angiotensin receptors

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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