Abstract
Inositol 1, 4, 5−trisphosphate(IP3)−mediated Ca2+ signalling regulates many important cell functions, and the spatio−temporal dynamics of the Ca2+ signalling is a crucial factor for its versatility.The molecular mechanisms that control Ca2+ signalling are now being investigated, and I here describe the subtypes of IP3 receptors that have distinct functional properties and contribute to the diversity of Ca2+ signalling patterns.I also discuss the spatio−temporal dynamics of intracellular IP3 concentration, describing recent methodological advances in monitoring intracellular IP3 concentration.These findings highlight the potential importance of the spatio−temporal information of any signalling molecule.
