Calcium plays an important role in a wide variety of biological
processes. This divalent metal ion can bind to a large number of
proteins; by doing so it modifies their biological activity or their
stability. Because of its distinct che- cal properties calcium is
uniquely suited to act as an on-off switch or as a light dimmer of
biological activities. The two books entitled Calcium-Binding Protein
Protocols (Volumes I and II) focus on modern experimental analyses and
methodologies for the study of calcium-binding proteins. Both extracel-
lar and intracellular calcium-binding proteins are discussed in detail.
H- ever, proteins involved in calcium handling (e. g., calcium pumps and
calcium channels), fall outside of the scope of these two volumes. Also,
calcium-bi- ing proteins involved in bone deposition will not be
discussed, as this specific topic has been addressed previously. The
focus of these two books is on studies of the calcium-binding proteins
and their behavior in vitro and in vivo. The primary emphasis is on
protein chemistry and biophysical methods. Many of the methods described
will also be applicable to proteins that do not bind calcium.
Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols is divided into three main sections.
The section entitled Introduction and Reviews provides information on
the role of calcium in intracellular secondary messenger activation
mechanisms. Mo- over, unique aspects of calcium chemistry and the
utilization of calcium in dairy proteins, as well as calcium-binding
proteins involved in blood clotting, are addressed.
