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S100 alpha, CAPL, and CACY: molecular cloning and expression analysis of three calcium-binding proteins from human
D Engelkamp1, B W Schäfer, P Erne
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Insights
Researchers identified three S100 family calcium-binding proteins (S100 alpha, CACY, and CAPL) in the human heart. Their expression patterns in human tissues differ from those in rodents, offering insights into myocardial dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Elevated intracellular calcium levels contribute to myocardial dysfunction.
- S100 proteins are a family of EF-hand calcium-binding proteins implicated in cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify potential mediators of deregulated calcium in the heart.
- To investigate the expression patterns of S100 family proteins in human tissues.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology to identify S100 family members.
- Cloning of complementary DNAs (cDNAs).
- Northern blot analysis to examine mRNA expression levels in various human tissues.
Main Results:
- Three S100 family members (S100 alpha, CACY, and CAPL) were identified in the human heart.
- All three proteins were found at high levels in the human heart.
- CACY and CAPL mRNAs showed ubiquitous expression, while S100 alpha mRNA was restricted to heart, skeletal muscle, and brain.
- Significant differences were observed in the expression patterns of these proteins between human and rodent tissues.
Conclusions:
- S100 alpha, CACY, and CAPL are expressed in the human heart.
- The distinct tissue distribution of these proteins, particularly S100 alpha, may play a role in cardiac function.
- Human and rodent S100 protein expression patterns diverge, highlighting species-specific regulation relevant to cardiovascular research.
Abstract:
Elevated levels of intracellular calcium are a major cause of myocardial dysfunction. To find possible mediators of the deregulated calcium we searched for EF-hand calcium-binding proteins of the S100 family. By PCR technology we identified three members of the S100 protein family (S100 alpha, CACY, and CAPL) in the human heart. We cloned the corresponding cDNAs and examined their expression levels in various human tissues by Northern blot analysis. All three proteins are expressed at high levels in the human heart. Whereas CACY and CAPL mRNAs are expressed ubiquitously, S100 alpha mRNA is restricted to heart, skeletal muscle, and brain. Interestingly, the expression pattern of S100 alpha, CACY, and CAPL in human tissues differs significantly from that in rodent tissues.
