Calcium regulation of several transcription factors involves different calcium-dependent signaling cascades and engages cytoplasmic as well as nuclear calcium signals. The study of the specific sources of calcium signals involved in regulation of gene expression in skeletal muscle has been addressed only recently. In this tissue, most cytoplasmic and nuclear calcium signals originate from calcium release from internal stores, mediated either by ryanodine receptor (RyR) or IP3 receptor (IP3R) channels. The latter are located both in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and in the nuclear membrane, and their activation results in long-lasting nuclear calcium increase. The calcium signals mediated by RyR and IP3R are very different in kinetics, amplitude and... |