Review Article

Polycystic Diseases in Visceral Organs

Figure 2

Mechanosensory cilia function involves calcium signal transduction. Mechanosensory cilia require functional polycystin complex. Fluid-flow-induced cilia bending will activate polycystin complex. This will mobilize calcium ions (Ca2+) influx from the extracellular matrix (ECM) into the cell. Calcium-induced calcium release will further activate various calcium-dependent proteins to maintain proper organogenesis.
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