Calbindin

• OMIM: 114050
• UniProt: P05937

Calbindin ( CALB ) (more precisely, calbindin D ( 28k) ) is a protein that binds calcium ions, and can thus act as a transport protein for this. It evolved with the jaw mouths and can be found in humans in the intestine, kidney, islet cells and brain. It is still unclear whether calbindin has additional functionality via its role as a calcium buffer addition.

Expression in the colon can calbindin (Gallus gallus) are increased by administration of vitamin D in chickens. In contrast, expression in the brain is vitamin independent; where it is associated in particular with interneurons and Purkinje cells. Using calbindin immunoassays therefore to select such cells. In rats, the Calbindinexpression in the brain was dependent on steroid hormones, especially in females.

The molecule has four binding sites for calcium and can therefore also so many ion transport. It has five EF-hand domains.