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Calcium Secretion into Milk

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Abstract

Ionized calcium ([Ca2+]) is present in milk at concentrations around 3 mM, a concentration that drives the formation of complexes with citrate, phosphate, and casein, thereby generating compounds that carry the major portion of calcium in milk. In humans and cows, where it has been studied, changes in milk calcium appear to be regulated by the amount of citrate and casein in milk rather than changes in [Ca2+]. Most or all of the calcium in milk is likely derived through exocytosis of secretory vesicles derived from the Golgi compartment where a calcium ATPase mediates transport from the cytoplasm. The identity of the transporters is not yet certain but gene expression for the plasma membrane calcium ATPase, PMCA2bw, and the secretory pathway calcium ATPase, SPCA, is highly upregulated during lactation. Currently nothing appears to be known about the mechanisms that mediate transport of calcium across the basolateral membrane of the alveolar cell.

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Abbreviations

[Ca2+]:

concentration of ionized calcium

ER:

endoplasmic reticulum

PMCA:

plasma membrane calcium transporter

PMR1:

yeast calcium ATPase

SERCA:

sarcoplasmic reticulum/ER calcium ATPase

SPCA:

secretory pathway calcium ATPase

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Colorado Health Sciences Center at Fitzsimmons, Aurora, Colorado

    Margaret C. Neville

  2. UCHSC at Fitzsimmons, Reproductive Sciences, RC-1, Room 5103, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, Colorado, 80010-7174

    Margaret C. Neville

  3. UCHSC at Fitzsimmons, Reproductive Sciences, Mail Stop 8309, PO Box 6511, Aurora, Colorado, 80045

    Margaret C. Neville

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Neville, M.C. Calcium Secretion into Milk. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 10, 119–128 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10911-005-5395-z

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