[Progress in functional polyphosphate in prokaryotic and eukaryotic living organisms].

Polyphosphate (poly P) has been widely identified in both inorganic environment and living organisms. Research shows that poly P in bacteria enhances their resistance to severe environment, triggers their protective responses, increases biofilm formation and involves in predation and bacterial virulence. In eukaryotes, poly P has been found to enhance the proliferation of fibroblast and many tumor cell lines, induce the calcification of osteoblast and be involved in calcium ion release. Based on the existing information, we attempt to discuss the possible functions of poly P in the nervous system.