Calcium Homeostasis
Calcium Homeostasis
To the tune of “Happy Xmas” by John Lennon
[Verse 1]
The PMCA
ATP driven pump
It helps to maintain
Levels of calcium
Regulatory domain
Autoinhibits the pump
The pump is stimulated
By calmodulin
[Chorus]
Calcium fluxes
During “on” reactions
They match exactly
With “off” reactions
[Verse 2]
The NCX
Swaps three sodium
Across the membrane
For one calcium
This action depends
On a gradient
For sodium ions
That is pre-established
[Chorus]
Calcium fluxes
During “on” reactions
They match exactly
With “off” reactions
[Verse 3]
Calcium enters
Intermembrane space
Of mitochondria
Through voltage-gating
It enters the matrix
Through uniporters
Very negative potentials
Are the main driving force
[Chorus]
Calcium fluxes
During “on” reactions
They match exactly
With “off” reactions
[Outro]
Intracellular
Calcium levels
Are in kept in
Homeostasis
