Calcium-binding proteins of the EF-type

Calcium, acting as second messenger, are through-target proteins that contain an EF-hand structure. Based on this general principle, EF-hand structures can be predicted from the amino acid sequence of a protein. Most recently, several new members of the Ca2+-binding protein family have been discovered, e.g., the cystic fibrosis antigen (CFAg), the macrophage migration inhibitory factor related proteins (MRP-8 and -14), non-muscle alpha-actinin, and uvomorulin, the latter belonging to the group of cell adhesion molecules. Additionally, new information about the physiological functions of S-100 proteins, calbindins, calretinin as well as parvalbumin were observed and some of the these results are discussed.