2001/04/01 by Hon Cheung Lee
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Neuroscience · Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics · #Calcium signaling and nucleotide metabolism #Ion Channels and Receptors #Piperaceae Chemical and Biological Studies
paper · doi:10.1146/annurev.pharmtox.41.1.317
openalex publication_date 2001/04/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) are two Ca(2+) messengers derived from NAD and NADP, respectively. Although NAADP is a linear molecule, structurally distinct from the cyclic cADPR, it is synthesized by similar enzymes, ADP-ribosyl cyclase and its homolog, CD38. The crystal structure of the cyclase has been solved and its active site identified. These two novel nucleotides have now been shown to be involved in a wide range of cellular functions including: cell cycle regulation in Euglena, a protist; gene expression in plants; and in animal systems, from fertilization to neurotransmitter release and long-term depression in brain. A battery of pharmacological reagents have been developed, providing valuable tools for elucidating the physiological functions of these two novel Ca(2+) messengers. This article reviews these recent results and explores the implications of the existence of multiple Ca(2+) messengers and Ca(2+) stores in cells.