Recombinant Proteins
Product List
NCS1 213 a.a. Human
Neuronal Calcium Sensor 1 213 a.a. Human Recombinant
NCS1 Human
Neuronal Calcium Sensor 1 Human Recombinant
Introduction
Neuronal Calcium Sensors (NCS) are a family of calcium-binding proteins that act as molecular switches in response to changes in intracellular calcium levels. They play crucial roles in various neuronal functions, including neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal growth. The NCS family includes proteins such as Frequenin (NCS1), recoverin, GCAP, neurocalcin, and visinin, all of which contain EF-hand motifs for calcium binding .
Key Biological Properties: NCS proteins are highly conserved and specifically expressed in neurons. They have a structural diversity that allows them to participate in various cellular processes .
Expression Patterns and Tissue Distribution: NCS proteins are predominantly expressed in the nervous system, including the central and peripheral nervous systems. They are found in various neuronal tissues such as the brain, retina, and sensory neurons .
Primary Biological Functions: NCS proteins are involved in regulating synaptic transmission, neuronal growth, and survival. They play a role in neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and the regulation of ion channels .
Role in Immune Responses and Pathogen Recognition: While NCS proteins are primarily known for their roles in neuronal functions, they also contribute to immune responses by regulating the activity of immune cells in the nervous system .
Mechanisms with Other Molecules and Cells: NCS proteins interact with various target proteins, including ion channels, enzymes, and receptors. These interactions are crucial for the transduction of calcium signals into cellular responses .
Binding Partners and Downstream Signaling Cascades: NCS proteins bind to specific target proteins through their EF-hand motifs, leading to conformational changes that activate downstream signaling pathways. These pathways regulate various cellular processes such as gene transcription, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal survival .
Regulatory Mechanisms Controlling Expression and Activity: The expression and activity of NCS proteins are regulated at multiple levels, including transcriptional regulation and post-translational modifications .
Transcriptional Regulation: The promoter regions of NCS genes contain binding sites for transcription factors that regulate their expression. For example, the expression of NCS1 is regulated by protein kinase GSK3B .
Post-Translational Modifications: NCS proteins undergo various post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation and myristoylation, which modulate their activity and interactions with target proteins .
Biomedical Research: NCS proteins are used as tools to study calcium signaling and neuronal functions. They are also employed in the development of genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) for imaging neuronal activity .
Diagnostic Tools and Therapeutic Strategies: NCS proteins have potential applications in diagnosing and treating neurological disorders. For example, manipulating NCS1 interactions with its targets could provide therapeutic benefits for conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and neurodegenerative diseases .
Role Throughout the Life Cycle: NCS proteins play essential roles throughout the life cycle, from neuronal development to aging and disease. During development, they regulate neuronal growth and synaptogenesis. In adulthood, they maintain synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival. In aging and disease, altered NCS function is associated with neurodegenerative conditions .
