Calpains: structure and function of the calpain super family

摘要: Calpain (EC 3.4.22.17) is a typical cytosolic cysteine protease whose activity regulated by calcium, an important second messenger of extra-cellular stimuli [1–4]. Since calpain distributed ubiquitously among cells and tissues most higher organisms, it has been predicted to play essential role in cellular functions. One reason that attracts such interest its way hydrolyzing substrates; i.e. may modulate, limited proteolysis, the function substrate proteins. Although, physiological as biomodulator remains be clarified, recent technological developments enable variety new approaches. These include finding tissue-specific species, calpain-homologues lower introduction methodology. In this chapter, state art summarized.