| Popis: |
The Second European Symposium on Calcium-Binding Proteins in Normal and Transformed Cells* followed the theme set by the first meeting in Brussels three years ago. Although predominantly a European meeting, the event brought together scientists from all corners of the world of calcium-binding proteins. It was satisfying to see that this vast area of scientific endeavour is flourishing, and that real advances have been made in many subjects. The majority of calcium-binding proteins fall into two easily recognizable classes: those with EF hands, and the annexins. The former, which have now been studied for three decades, exhibit an extraordinary diversity of function, exemplified by the multifunctional protein calmodulin. By contrast, the annexins are relative newcomers, and the subject of their functions continues to enjoy much controversy. The EF hand family of calciumbinding proteins (Ca2÷-BPs) now includes at least 29 subfamilies. These proteins contain between two and eight EF hands, each binding one calcium ion, and some contain EF hands spliced to other protein motifs. The studies by Robert Kretsinger (University of Virginia, USA) of this family contradict the assertion that introns have greatly facilitated domain shuffling and duplication in evolution: most of the introns are within domains, not between them, and their positions vary, implying that they were inserted after the definition of the subfamilies. |
