Neuronal Calcium Sensor 1 (NCS1) is a member of the neuronal calcium sensor family of proteins, which play a crucial role in regulating various cellular processes by sensing changes in intracellular calcium levels. The human recombinant form of NCS1, consisting of 213 amino acids, is a valuable tool for research and therapeutic applications.
NCS1 is a small, soluble protein that binds calcium ions with high affinity. It contains four EF-hand motifs, which are helix-loop-helix structures that coordinate calcium binding. Upon binding calcium, NCS1 undergoes a conformational change that allows it to interact with target proteins and modulate their activity.
NCS1 is predominantly expressed in the brain, where it is involved in various neuronal functions, including:
The human recombinant form of NCS1 (213 a.a.) is produced using recombinant DNA technology. This involves cloning the NCS1 gene into an expression vector, which is then introduced into a host organism (typically bacteria or yeast) for protein production. The recombinant protein is subsequently purified using chromatographic techniques to obtain a high-purity product suitable for research and therapeutic use.
Recombinant NCS1 is used in various research applications, including: