Inter-membrane control of junctional InsP3 receptors by PIP2.

Abstract

Crosstalk between junctional membrane proteins is vital in the coordinated generation of cellular Ca²⁺ signals. New evidence (Ivanova et al.) reveals the signaling lipid, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) reaches across plasma membrane (PM)-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) junctions to regulate inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, controlling the critical progression of local to global Ca²⁺ signals mediating a spectrum of fundamental cellular responses.