Calcium ion transport

"Calcium ion transport" refers to the highly regulated movement of calcium ions (Ca²⁺) across biological membranes, mediated by a diverse set of protein transporters and channels, including calcium channels (voltage-gated and ligand-gated), calcium pumps (such as sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase and plasma membrane calcium ATPase), and secondary active transporters (notably sodium-calcium exchangers)[3][6][7]. This process is vital for maintaining low intracellular free calcium concentrations and enables rapid increases in response to cellular signals, underpinning essential functions such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, secretion, fertilization, and cell signaling[1][2][3]. Calcium ion transport is also critical in human disease, with dysregulation causing severe clinical problems ranging from cardiac arrhythmias to neurodegeneration and bone fragility[1]. Because it refers to multiple proteins, "calcium ion transport" is not a valid single drug target; therapeutic targeting usually focuses on specific transporters, such as the L-type calcium channel or the plasma membrane Ca²⁺ ATPase[3][8].

Other names

calcium transportCa²⁺ transportCa²⁺ influxCa²⁺ effluxcalcium movementcalcium trafficking

Inhibition or blockade of calcium channels (prevents influx of Ca²⁺) - Activation or inhibition of calcium pumps (e.g. calcium ATPase) - Modulation of ion exchange (e.g. sodium-calcium exchanger activity)