Abstract

Eukaryotic cells contain various Ca²⁺-effector proteins that mediate cellular responses to changes in intracellular Ca²⁺ levels. A unique class of these proteins — annexins — can bind to certain membrane phospholipids in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner, providing a link between Ca²⁺ signalling and membrane functions. By forming networks on the membrane surface, annexins can function as organizers of membrane domains and membrane-recruitment platforms for proteins with which they interact. These and related properties enable annexins to participate in several otherwise unrelated events that range from membrane dynamics to cell differentiation and migration.

Author affiliations

1. Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Centre for Molecular Biology of Inflammation, University of Münster, Germany.
2. Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
3. Division of Cell Biology, Institute of Ophthalmology, 11–43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK.

Correspondence to: Volker Gerke¹ Email: gerke@uni-muenster.de

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.