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Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols

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Spatial Distribution of Ca 2+ -<strong>Binding</strong> <strong>Protein</strong>s 383<br />

29<br />

Studying the Spatial Distribution<br />

of Ca 2+ -<strong>Binding</strong> <strong>Protein</strong>s<br />

How Does it Work for Calmodulin?<br />

Katalin Török, Richard Thorogate, and Steven Howell<br />

1. Introduction<br />

Calmodulin is a ubiquitous Ca 2+ -switch protein whose in vitro properties<br />

have been widely studied (1). Visualization of calmodulin levels and functional<br />

changes in living cells allows investigations of how calmodulin is involved in<br />

organizing specific cellular responses to various stimuli. The advancement of<br />

several protein chemistry, biochemical, and microscopic techniques has made<br />

the direct study of calmodulin in cellular function less perturbing, more<br />

sensitive, and of higher temporal and spatial resolution. For example, more<br />

selective fluorescent-labeling techniques directed at strategically positioned<br />

Lys and Cys residues in the protein are now available, the latter are introduced<br />

by site-directed mutagenesis. In addition, the conjugation of calmodulin c-DNA<br />

with enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) provides increased sensitivity.<br />

Taken together, these advances allow the fluorescence signal of the protein to<br />

act as an intracellular reporter group of concentration changes in cell compartments,<br />

as well as other well-defined molecular events (e.g., Ca 2+ and target<br />

binding, conformational change). Brighter fluorophores provide increased sensitivity<br />

and thus the fluorescent protein may be applied at a lower concentration<br />

to act as a tracer of endogenous calmodulin. Calmodulins with probes<br />

attached at a single site that have been characterized functionally by comparison<br />

to unmodified calmodulin, facilitate clearer data interpretation. Laser-scanning<br />

confocal microscopy offers higher resolution so events in living cells can<br />

be monitored in greater detail in order to understand calmodulin and its inter-<br />

From: Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 173:<br />

<strong>Calcium</strong>-<strong>Binding</strong> <strong>Protein</strong> <strong>Protocols</strong>, Vol. 2: Methods and Techniques<br />

Edited by: H. J. Vogel © Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ<br />

383

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