Multiple, distinct actions of metal ions on cellular signaling processes

✍ Scribed by H. P. M. Vijverberg; T. Leinders-Zufall; R. H. S. Westerink

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 108 KB
• Volume: 33
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0933-5137
• DOI: 10.1002/mawe.200290006

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

From a neurotoxicological perspective, we have investigated effects of Pb^2+^ and other divalent metal ions on membrane signaling by voltage‐, Ca^2+^‐ and ligand‐gated ion channels using voltage clamp and patch clamp techniques. The results from our and other studies of the effects of metal ions reported in the literature are summarized here and demonstrate that metal ions cause multiple, distinct effects on a variety of membrane signaling processes. A situation similar to that with membrane ion channels applies to the effects of metal ions on intracellular signaling. Effects on exocytosis, a resultant of highly integrated and complex intracellular signaling, indicate that Pb^2+^ is a substitute for intracellular Ca^2+^ in the triggering the fusion and release of exocytotic vesicles. Despite the relatively detailed knowledge of metal effects at the molecular level, few specific cellular targets associated with specific toxic effects of metals have been identified. Such knowledge is essential for the understanding of metal toxicity.