Intracellular Ca2+ in pancreatic acinar cells: regulation and role in stimulation of enzyme secretion.

Evidence for a primary role for intracellular Ca2+ in the stimulation of pancreatic enzyme secretion is reviewed. Measurements of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration have allowed direct demonstration of its importance in triggering enzyme secretion and defined the concentration range over which membrane Ca2+ pumps must work to regulate intracellular Ca2+. Current evidence suggests a key role for the Ca2+, Mg-ATPase of rough endoplasmic reticulum in regulating intracellular Ca2+ and accumulating a Ca2+ store which is released by the action of inositol-1,4,5 trisphosphate following stimulation of secretion.