Physiological calcium-binding proteins and receptors (CaBPs)

Physiological calcium-binding proteins and receptors represent a broad and diverse class of proteins rather than a single therapeutic target. This group includes calcium sensors like calmodulin, which translate fluctuations in intracellular calcium levels into biochemical signals, and calcium buffers like parvalbumin and calbindin that regulate the spatio-temporal aspects of calcium signaling (Cunningham et al., 2020, PubMed). It also encompasses specific receptors such as the Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), which monitors extracellular calcium concentrations to maintain systemic homeostasis (Hannan et al., 2018, Nature Reviews Endocrinology). Because this term describes a functional category containing hundreds of distinct proteins with varied roles in muscle contraction, neurotransmission, and cell proliferation, it is considered too broad for specific drug development. Therapeutic interventions typically focus on individual members of this class, such as S100 proteins in inflammation or troponins in cardiology, rather than the group as a whole (Donato et al., 2013, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets).

Other names

Calcium-binding proteinsCalcium-modulated proteinsEF-hand proteinsCalcium sensors

Not applicable as this is a broad protein class rather than a single drug target.