钙视网膜蛋白的结构与功能

Structure and Function of Calretinin

钙视网膜蛋白(Calretinin)是钙结合蛋白(CaBP)家族成员,是神经细胞内重要的活性物质,对细胞质内Ca2+浓度具有缓冲作用。Ca2+是细胞内重要的第二信使,在细胞内激活许多具有生理功能的酶或蛋白质,如依赖于Ca2+的蛋白激酶C和钙结合蛋白,参与多种代谢、骨骼肌/心肌收缩、神经反应冲动传导。Calretinin优势表达于中枢神经组织,此外还表达在睾丸(主要在Leydig细胞)、卵巢、肾上腺等合成类固醇的器官。Calretinin表达于不同的部位,其功能亦有异同,在细胞质调节激素合成,在细胞核内对细胞分化、发育、增殖、凋亡等也有调节作用。因此,Calretinin在生殖内分泌领域的作用逐步受到重视。

Calretinin, also known as calcium retinal protein, is an important calcium-binding protein （CaBP）. CaBPs are important active substances in the nerve cells,which regulate the intracellular calcium ion concentration. Ca2＋ is also the intracellular second messengers which in turn activates many physiological functions of enzymes or proteins in cells,such as the Ca2＋-dependent protein kinase C and calcium calmodulin. Ca2＋-CaBPs participate in a variety of cellular activities, including metabolism, skeletal muscle/cardiac contraction, nerve reaction impulse conduction. Calretinin predominantly expressed in the central nervous tissue, while it also expressed in some steroidogenic organs,such as testis （mainly in Leydig cell）,ovary and adrenal. Function of calretinin in different tissues could be different,including regulation of hormonal production in cytoplasm,and regulatory effects on cell differentiation,development,proliferation and apoptosis. Effect of calretinin in reproductive endocrinology is a new area.