Regulation of Calcium in the Cerebellum

Abstract

Ca²⁺ is an important ion in CNS biology, where if plays a critical role in basic functions of neurons, glia and other cell types. In CNS neurons, Ca²⁺ is a participant in the generation of electrical signals, an inducer and regulator of synaptic transmission, and a second messenger that controls many biochemical processes. Ca²⁺ is also a signal transmitter and second messenger in glial cells. Ca²⁺ levels in neurons and glia are dynamic but judiciously controlled in order to maintain biological processes at a level compatible with life. An excess or deficit of Ca²⁺ can result in cell damage or death. A variety of cellular mechanisms contribute to or enable the changes in intracellular Ca²⁺, referred to as Ca²⁺ signaling, that are essential for normal cell function, some of which are present in all cells and others that are unique to a particular class of cells. This chapter will briefly describe the cellular mechanisms that contribute to Ca²⁺ signaling in cerebellar and other CNS neurons. These mechanisms are located at presynaptic sites (e.g., axon terminals), where they regulate transmitter release, and/or at postsynaptic sites (e.g., dendrites), where they influence synaptic responses and other physiological functions.