How do Calcium Binding Motifs Affect Protein Function?
Calcium binding motifs affect protein function by inducing conformational changes upon binding calcium ions. These changes can:
- Activate Enzyme Activity: Binding of calcium ions to calmodulin, for instance, can activate various target enzymes, modulating their activity.
- Facilitate Protein-Protein Interactions: Calcium binding can promote the interaction between proteins, as seen in the case of synaptotagmins during neurotransmitter release.
- Regulate Structural Changes: In the muscle protein troponin C, calcium binding induces conformational changes that allow muscle fibers to contract.
