Calretinin Mouse, Unlabeled, Clone: 34, BD

Description

• A low level of intracellular free Ca2+ is essential for a variety of cellular functions and is mediated by the sequestration of Ca2+ in the ER, by the action of plasma membrane Ca2+ pumps, and by Ca2+ binding proteins
• The Ca2+ binding protein, Calretinin, is a member of the calmodulin superfamily whose members promote calcium homeostasis by acting as buffers of intracellular free Ca2+
• Although Calretinin is expressed in certain populations of neurons throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems, it is primarily expressed in the olfactory bulb and auditory pathways
• Calretinin most closely resembles calbindin D28k, another member of the calmodulin family
• These two proteins share 58% amino acid identity and contain six EF-hand Ca2+ binding motifs
• Excess Calretinin or calbindin results in decreased transcription from PCE1, a calcium responsive element in the calmodulin II promoter
• This supports the role of Calretinin as a regulator of intracellular free Ca2+ levels
• Furthermore, truncated forms of Calretinin have been found in certain tumor cells, but are absent from normal cells which express wild type Calretinin
• Thus, these isoforms may have a role in tumorigenesis.