Purpose of review: Calcium is an essential intracellular messenger and a major component of the mineral phase of the skeleton. Calcium is absorbed in the intestine and reabsorbed in the kidney. The underlying transepithelial calcium transport mechanisms play crucial roles in calcium homeostasis. In this review, we present new developments in the area of calcium transport at the apical membrane, the first step in transepithelial calcium transport. Recent findings: Recently, a group of transient receptor potential (TRP)-related calcium-permeable channels has been identified. Several of these channels serve as important epithelial calcium entry mechanisms and possibly also as osmolarity sensors. Summary: Calcium channels in the kidney play important roles in maintaining total body calcium homeostasis. Their dysfunction may be associated with several human diseases such as hypercaliuric nephrolithiasis, certain forms of osteoporosis, Gitelman's disease and Bartter's syndrome. © 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
