Calbindin (CALB1) is a calcium-binding protein belonging to the troponin C superfamily. It is expressed in specific neuronal populations, particularly Purkinje cells in the cerebellum and certain interneurons. Calbindin plays crucial roles in calcium buffering and neuronal protection.
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| Protein Name | Calbindin D-28K |
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| Gene | [CALB1](/genes/calb1) |
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| UniProt | [P05937](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P05937) |
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| PDB Structures | [1IG5](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1IG5) |
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| Molecular Weight | 30 kDa |
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| Subcellular Localization | Cytoplasm |
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| Protein Family | EF-hand calcium-binding protein family |
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| Alias Names | Calbindin D-28K, Vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein |
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Calbindin D-28K contains:
- 6 EF-hand domains: 4 functional calcium-binding sites
- N-terminal domain: Involved in protein interactions
- Binds calcium with high affinity
Calbindin acts as a calcium buffer in neurons:
- Protects against calcium overload
- Shapes calcium signals
- Modulates synaptic plasticity
- Reduces excitotoxicity
- Protects against oxidative stress
- Maintains neuronal calcium homeostasis
- Calbindin expression is reduced in AD hippocampus
- Loss may contribute to calcium dysregulation and excitotoxicity
- Neuroprotective strategies aim to restore calcium homeostasis
- Reduced calbindin in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra
- May increase vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons
- Loss of calcium buffering contributes to cell death
- Altered calbindin expression in striatal neurons
- Contributes to calcium dysregulation in medium spiny neurons
- Protective role against seizure-induced neuronal damage
- Heizmann et al., Calcium-binding proteins in the nervous system (1988)
- Mattson et al., Calcium-binding proteins in neuronal survival and degeneration (1999)