General scheme of intracellular Ca2+ cycling. General scheme of intracellular Ca2+ cycling. Ca2+ can enter the cell via Ca2+ channels and, in some situations, via the Na+—Ca2+ exchanger (NCX). Ca2+ can be released from sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER) via Ca2+-release channels, including ryanodine receptors and inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptors. Ca2+ is removed from the cytosol by SR/ER Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), cytolemmal Ca2+-ATPase, Na+—Ca2+ exchange and the mitochondrial uniportor. Shi Qiang Wang et al. J Exp Biol 2002;205:2957-2962 © The Company of Biologists Limited 2002