Can magnesium act as a second messenger? Current data on translocation induced by various biologically active substances.

Abstract

Free intracellular Mg2+([Mg2+]i) can potentially integrate the signals from hormones, cellular metabolism and organismal ion homeostasis and affect the activities of ion channel and other effectors. Interest in [Mg2+]i has been heightened by recent reports that small changes in [Mg2+]i in the physiological range can significantly modulate important cellular functions. In addition, a variety of new evidence shows that [Mg2+]i instantaneously changes following stimulation with various biologically active substances. These observations suggest that [Mg2+]i may act as a second messenger.