title: Approaches to study the role of S100 proteins in calcium-dependent cellular responses.
abstract: Calcium is necessary for the optimal growth and cellular functions of most living organisms. For example, Ca is involved in the processes of muscle contraction, stimulus-secretion coupling, bone formation, blood clotting, cell proliferation and motility, and fertilization. Many regulatory actions of Ca are mediated through Ca-binding proteins. Calcium-modulated proteins are a subclass of Ca-binding proteins that are thought to be the major signal transducers of Ca acting as a cellular second messenger. Most Ca-modulated proteins are not enzymes but are effector proteins capable of transducing a Ca signal into a biological response by their ability to bind Ca reversibly and modulate the activity of other proteins in a Ca-dependent manner. This review focuses on a set of Ca-modulated proteins, the S100 proteins, and their possible roles in mediating Ca-dependent cellular events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Van Eldik
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Zimmer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D051381:Rats; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; C030564:S-100 calcium-binding protein alpha subunit; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins; D002118:Calcium