What does EF hand stand for?

EF hands are calcium-binding motifs found in hundreds of proteins. They bind calcium ions with high affinity (Kds are in the micromolar range) and selectivity, and this property allows EF hand proteins to sense changes in intracellular calcium.

How is calmodulin activated?

Activation. Calmodulin is activated by intracellular calcium. When calcium concentrations rise, the calcium ions are able to bind to calmodulin at a special motif called an EF hand domain. This configuration of amino acids is characteristic of calcium-binding proteins.

What is the purpose of Calbindin?

Abstract. Calbindin-D28k (CB), one of the major calcium-binding and buffering proteins, has a critical role in preventing a neuronal death as well as maintaining calcium homeostasis.

Which motif is present in calcium-binding protein?

The EF-hand motif
The EF-hand motif is the most common calcium-binding motif found in proteins. Several high-resolution structures containing different metal ions bound to EF-hand sites have given new insight into the modulation of their binding affinities.

What happens when calcium bind to calmodulin?

The overall result of this protein-protein interaction is a physiological effect, e.g., Ca2+ binding to calmodulin in smooth muscle allows it to interact with and activate myosin light chain kinase which catalyzes the phosphorylation of myosin. This reaction results in contraction of the smooth muscle.

Is calmodulin a kinase?

CAMK, also written as CaMK, is an abbreviation for the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase class of enzymes.

What enzymes does calmodulin activate?

Other protein kinases activated by calmodulin include myosin-light chain kinase, phosphorylase kinase, and some isoforms of both adenylyl cyclase and phosphodiesterase.

Is calmodulin a protein kinase?

Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II Ca2+/calmodulin (Ca2+/CaM)-dependent protein kinases are important mediators of signal transduction events triggered by stimuli that increase intracellular levels of free [Ca2+].

Is Calbindin a protein?

Binding Proteins | Calcium-Buffering Proteins: Calbindin☆ Calbindin-D9k is present only in mammals. It is not homologous to calbindin-D28k but rather belongs to the S100 family of calcium-binding proteins. Calbindin-D9k is regulated by 1,25(OH)2D3 in intestine and kidney.

Where is parvalbumin found?

Parvalbumin is found in fast-contracting muscles, where its levels are highest, as well as in the brain and some endocrine tissues. Parvalbumin is a small, stable protein containing EF-hand type calcium binding sites. It is involved in calcium signaling.