Cytosolic calcium in platelet activation.

Experiments with permeabilised platelets, and with intact platelets loaded with fluorescent Ca2+-indicators, over the past several years have greatly extended our knowledge and understanding of cytosolic Ca2+ as a platelet activator and its interactions with other cytosolic regulators. This article outlines insights, gained from the use of the fluorescent dyes, into maintenance and restoration of basal [Ca2+]i, mechanisms of receptor-mediated Ca2+-mobilisation and quantitation of [Ca2+]i/response relations in intact human platelets.