Lymphocyte calcium signaling from membrane to nucleus

Ca2+ signals control a variety of lymphocyte responses, ranging from short-term cytoskeletal modifications to long-term changes in gene expression. The identification of molecules and channels that modulate Ca2+ entry into T and B lymphocytes has both provided details of the molecular events leading to immune responses and raised controversy. Here we review studies of the pathways that allow Ca2+ entry, the function of Ca2+ in the regulation of cell polarity and motility and the principles by which Ca2+-dependent transcription regulates lymphocyte function.