Nucleotides are emerging as important extracellular signaling molecules that mediate several effects, such as proliferation, differentiation, chemotaxis and cytokine release. The P2 receptor family is activated by the binding of nucleotides and is divided into two subfamilies, P2X and P2Y. The P2X receptor family is comprised of ligand-gated ion channels that allow for the increased permeability of calcium into the cell in response to extracellular ATP. The P2Y receptor family are G protein-

The product encoded by this gene belongs to the actin family of proteins, which are highly conserved proteins that play a role in cell motility, structure and integrity. Alpha, beta and gamma actin isoforms have been identified, with alpha actins being a major constituent of the contractile apparatus, while beta and gamma actins are involved in the regulation of cell motility. This actin is an alpha actin that is found in skeletal muscle. Mutations in this gene cause nemaline myopathy type 3

The multifunctional CaMKII beta, or Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, is a well known effector of calcium- and calmodulin- mediated functions. It is present in many tissues but is most abundant in the brain. CaMKII is composed of four different chains: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. The different isoforms assemble into homo- or heteromultimeric holoenzymes composed of 8 to 12 subunits. Autophosphorylation plays an important role in the regulation of the kinase activity. CaMKII is r

This gene encodes a cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase which is involved in calcium-induced regulation of ion channels and activation of the map kinase signaling pathway. The encoded protein may represent an important signaling intermediate between neuropeptide-activated receptors or neurotransmitters that increase calcium flux and the downstream signals that regulate neuronal activity. The encoded protein undergoes rapid tyrosine phosphorylation and activation in response to increases in t

Kallikrein 5 was originally described from the skin as an enzyme involved in turnover of the stratum corneum, and later cloned from human EST libraries as a Kallikrein like enzyme. The skin is known to contain trypsin like and chymotrypsin like proteinases of 32 kDa and 25 kDa respectively, and these were determined to be hK5 and hK7. Kallikrein 5 is found is greatest abundance in the skin, and also in the brain, with lesser signal in the kidney, lung, mammary gland, and testis. Human br