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Approaches to Study the Role of S100 Proteins in Calcium-Dependent Cellular Responses

Departments of Pharmacology and Cell Biology, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Danna B. Zimmer

Department of Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232

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.