Monday, February 22, 2010

Calsequestrin- protein structure and function




Calsequestrin's main function serves as the major calcium storage protein of both cardiac and skeletal muscle, binds and releases large numbers of Ca(2+) ions for each contraction and relaxation cycle.However, the incorrect portion of calcium to these muscles could cause the tissues to attack themselves and follow with the inflammatory response of the immune system to those tissues, this is the main symptom of lupus cause in humans. After thoroughly studying the 3D model structure of calsequenstrin using the NCBI protein database, it easy to see the main concepts and functions this particular protein withholds. The first focus to recognize is the difference between looking at the structure in the backbone view and in the all atoms view. The backbone view of the protein does not show the specific function groups that this protein also holds while the all atoms molecule model shows the exact structure that it encompasses. The module also allows you to exam the secondary structures of the protein that displays the beta pleated sheets and the alpha helix of it. This protein does have two separate subunits that combine together to create the quaternary structure that us the final structure of this protein.