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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Biol Chem. Feb 26, 2014; 5(1): 58-67
Published online Feb 26, 2014. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v5.i1.58
Published online Feb 26, 2014. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v5.i1.58
Roles and mechanisms of the CD38/cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose/Ca2+ signaling pathway
Wenjie Wei, Richard Graeff, Jianbo Yue, Department of Physiology, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Author contributions: Wei W reviewed the literature; Wei W and Yue J wrote the paper; and Graeff R edited the manuscript.
Supported by Research Grant Council grants, No. 782709M, No. 785911M, No. 769912M and No. 785213M
Correspondence to: Jianbo Yue, PhD, Department of Physiology, the University of Hong Kong, 102 Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China. jbyue@me.com
Telephone: +86-852-29199202 Fax: +86-852-28559730
Received: August 30, 2013
Revised: November 9, 2013
Accepted: December 17, 2013
Published online: February 26, 2014
Revised: November 9, 2013
Accepted: December 17, 2013
Published online: February 26, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: This is a comprehensive review regarding the role and mechanism of the CD38/Cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose (cADPR)/Ca2+ signaling pathway in various cellular processes. We introduce the structure and function of cADPR, together with its production and degradation pathways. We also describe CD38, the main enzyme that is responsible for synthesis of cADPR, through its structure and topology. Finally, we summarize the functions of the CD38/cADPR/Ca2+ signaling pathway under both physiological and pathological conditions.