Calcium-binding protein

Calcium-binding proteins are proteins that participate in calcium cell signalling pathways by binding to Ca2+.

The most ubiquitous Ca2+-sensing protein, found in all eukaryotic organisms including yeasts, is calmodulin.

Intracellular storage and release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is associated with the high-capacity, low-affinity calcium-binding protein, calsequestrin.

With their role in signal transduction, calcium-binding proteins contribute to all aspects of the cell's functioning, from homeostasis to learning and memory.

For example, the neuron-specific calexcitin has been found to have an excitatory effect on neurons, and interacts with proteins that control the firing state of neurons, such as the the voltage-dependent potassium channel.