CaM

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

CaM or Calmodulin is a calcium-binding messenger protein expressed in all eukaryotic cells. It is involved in regulating numerous cellular processes and is a primary receptor of calcium signals.

Structure[edit | edit source]

Calmodulin is a small, highly conserved protein that is 148 amino acids long. The protein has two approximately symmetrical globular domains, each of which can bind two calcium ions.

Function[edit | edit source]

Calmodulin mediates processes such as inflammation, metabolism, apoptosis, smooth muscle contraction, intracellular movement, short-term and long-term memory, nerve growth and the immune response. It does this by binding to and regulating a multitude of different protein targets.

Interactions[edit | edit source]

Calmodulin can interact with a variety of different proteins, including protein kinases, phosphatases, nitric oxide synthase, and ryanodine receptors. It can also bind to the plasma membrane, cytoskeleton, and chromatin.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Alterations in calmodulin function can lead to diseases such as arrhythmia, heart failure, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

CaM Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD