Calcium binding proteins.

The role of Ca(2+) as a key and pivotal second messenger in cells depends largely on a wide number of heterogeneous so-called calcium binding proteins (CBP), which have the ability to bind this ion in specific domains. CBP contribute to the control of Ca(2+) concentration in the cytosol and participate in numerous cellular functions by acting as Ca(2+) transporters across cell membranes or as Ca(2+)-modulated sensors, i.e., decoding Ca(2+) signals. In this chapter we review the main Ca(2+)-modulated CBP, starting with those intracellular CBP that contain the structural EF-hand domain: parvalbumin, calmodulin, S100 proteins and calcineurin. Then, we address intracellular CBP lacking the EF-hand domain: CBP within intracellular Ca(2+) stores (paying special attention to calreticulin and calsequestrin), annexins and proteins that contain a C2 domain, such as protein kinase C (PKC) or sinaptotagmin. Finally, extracellular CBP have been classified in six groups, according to their Ca(2+) binding structures: (i) EF-hand domains; (ii) EGF-like domains; (iii) γ-carboxyl glutamic acid (GLA)-rich domains; (iv) cadherin domains; (v) Ca(2+)-dependent (C)-type lectin-like domains; (vi) Ca(2+)-binding pockets of family C G-protein-coupled receptors. For all proteins, we briefly review their structure, location and function and additionally their potential as pharmacological targets in several human diseases.