Calcium-mediated mechanisms of cystic expansion

In this review, we will discuss several well-accepted signaling pathways toward calcium-mediated mechanisms of cystic expansion. The second messenger calcium ion has contributed to a vast diversity of signal transduction pathways. We will dissect calcium signaling as a possible mechanism that contributes to renal cyst formation. Because cytosolic calcium also regulates an array of signaling pathways, we will first discuss cilia-induced calcium fluxes, followed by Wnt signaling that has attributed to much-discussed planar cell polarity. We will then look at the relationship between cytosolic calcium and cAMP as one of the most important aspects of cyst progression. The signaling of cAMP on MAPK and mTOR will also be discussed. We infer that while cilia-induced calcium fluxes may be the initial signaling messenger for various cellular pathways, no single signaling mediator or pathway is implicated exclusively in the progression of the cystic expansion. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Research Highlights
► Primary cilia are mechanosensory organelles.
► Fluid shear stress bends and activates primary cilia.
► Activation of primary cilia promotes second messenger calcium fluxes.
► Dysfunction in primary cilia causes polycystic kidney diseases.