General Description
Calbindin-D-28K (CALB1) is encoded by the gene mapped to human chromosome 8q21.3-q22.1. CALB1 belongs to the EF hand superfamily of Ca
2+ binding proteins (CBPs). The encoded protein contains EF hand motif involved in the specific and reversible binding of Ca
2+. It is highly expressed in specific regions of central nervous system such as cerebellar Purkinje cells and hippocampal granule cells.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Calbindin D-28k might play a vital role as an intracellular Ca2+ buffer. It has an ability to protect nerve cells from calcium-mediated neurotoxicity. The encoded protein functions as a potent neuroanatomical marker which can be used to selectively visualize certain neurons and pathways in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Mutations in the gene has been observed in patients with Parkinson′s disease (PD).