Recombinant Proteins
Product List
RCAN1 Human
Regulator of Calcineurin 1 Human Recombinant
RCAN2 Human
Regulator of Calcineurin 2 Human Recombinant
RCAN2 is fused to a 20 amino acid His-tag at N-terminus & purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
RCAN3 Human
Regulator of Calcineurin 3 Human Recombinant
Introduction
The Regulator of Calcineurin (RCAN) is a family of proteins that modulate the activity of calcineurin, a calcium and calmodulin-dependent serine/threonine protein phosphatase. Calcineurin is involved in various cellular processes, including T-cell activation and cardiac hypertrophy . RCAN proteins are classified based on their ability to inhibit calcineurin activity, and they include RCAN1, RCAN2, and RCAN3 .
Key Biological Properties: RCAN proteins are characterized by their ability to bind to calcineurin and inhibit its phosphatase activity. This interaction is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating calcium signaling pathways .
Expression Patterns: RCAN proteins are ubiquitously expressed in various tissues, with higher expression levels observed in the brain, heart, and skeletal muscles .
Tissue Distribution: RCAN1 is predominantly found in the brain and heart, RCAN2 in the brain and skeletal muscles, and RCAN3 in the heart and kidneys .
Primary Biological Functions: RCAN proteins play a critical role in regulating calcineurin activity, which is essential for various cellular processes such as T-cell activation, cardiac hypertrophy, and neuronal development .
Role in Immune Responses: RCAN proteins modulate the immune response by regulating the activity of calcineurin, which in turn controls the activation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT). This regulation is crucial for the proper functioning of T-cells and the immune response .
Pathogen Recognition: RCAN proteins are involved in the recognition and response to pathogens by modulating calcineurin activity, which is essential for the activation of immune cells .
Mechanisms with Other Molecules and Cells: RCAN proteins interact with calcineurin by binding to its catalytic subunit, thereby inhibiting its phosphatase activity. This interaction prevents the dephosphorylation and activation of NFAT, which is essential for T-cell activation and other cellular processes .
Binding Partners: RCAN proteins primarily bind to calcineurin, but they may also interact with other proteins involved in calcium signaling pathways .
Downstream Signaling Cascades: By inhibiting calcineurin activity, RCAN proteins regulate downstream signaling cascades that involve NFAT, leading to changes in gene expression and cellular responses .
Regulatory Mechanisms Controlling Expression and Activity: The expression and activity of RCAN proteins are regulated by various mechanisms, including transcriptional regulation and post-translational modifications .
Transcriptional Regulation: The transcription of RCAN genes is regulated by several transcription factors, including NFAT, which forms a feedback loop to control calcineurin activity .
Post-Translational Modifications: RCAN proteins undergo post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, which can affect their stability and interaction with calcineurin .
Biomedical Research: RCAN proteins are studied extensively in biomedical research due to their role in regulating calcineurin activity and their involvement in various diseases, including cardiac hypertrophy and neurodegenerative disorders .
Diagnostic Tools: The expression levels of RCAN proteins can serve as biomarkers for certain diseases, such as cardiac hypertrophy and Alzheimer’s disease .
Therapeutic Strategies: Targeting RCAN proteins and their interaction with calcineurin is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating diseases associated with dysregulated calcineurin activity, such as autoimmune diseases and cardiac hypertrophy .
Role Throughout the Life Cycle: RCAN proteins play a vital role throughout the life cycle, from development to aging and disease. During development, they regulate neuronal growth and differentiation. In adulthood, they maintain cellular homeostasis and immune function. In aging, dysregulation of RCAN proteins is associated with neurodegenerative diseases and cardiac hypertrophy .
Development to Aging and Disease: RCAN proteins are essential for proper development and function of various tissues. Dysregulation of RCAN proteins can lead to developmental abnormalities, immune dysfunction, and age-related diseases .
