THE S100 FAMILY OF EF-HAND CALCIUM-BINDING PROTEINS - FUNCTIONS AND PATHOLOGY

Calcium ions as second messengers control many biological processes, a t least in part, via interaction with a large number of Ca2+-binding p roteins. One class of these proteins shares a common Ca2+-binding moti f, the EF-hand. Here, we describe some functional aspects of EF-hand p roteins, which have been found recently in different cellular compartm ents. Novel links between EF-hand proteins, particularly S100 proteins , and specific diseases are now emerging.