An Update to Calcium Binding Proteins.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Cellular Physiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Calcium ions (Ca²⁺) act as vital second messengers, with Ca²⁺ binding proteins (CBP) mediating their diverse cellular functions.
• CBP regulate intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations and participate in signal transduction, transport, and sensing.
• Dysregulation of CBP is implicated in various diseases, increasing their relevance in biomedical research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated review of Ca²⁺ binding proteins (CBP).
• To explore the potential roles of CBP in physiopathological processes and as pharmacological targets.
• To categorize and discuss both intracellular and extracellular CBP based on their Ca²⁺ binding structures.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on CBP.
• Classification of intracellular CBP based on the presence or absence of EF-hand domains.
• Categorization of extracellular CBP according to their specific Ca²⁺ binding structures.

Main Results:

• Detailed review of intracellular CBP including EF-hand containing proteins (e.g., calmodulin, NCS) and non-EF-hand proteins (e.g., annexins, calreticulin).
• Summary of extracellular CBP, highlighting diverse Ca²⁺ binding domains such as EF-hand, EGF-like, and cadherin domains.
• Identification of numerous CBP families with significant roles in cellular functions and disease.

Conclusions:

• CBP are essential regulators of calcium signaling with broad implications in health and disease.
• Understanding CBP structure and function is critical for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
• This review consolidates current knowledge on CBP, emphasizing their therapeutic potential.