Description
Product Characteristics: S-100 protein derived from brain tissue is an acidic calcium-binding protein with molecular weight of about 21kDa. In human brain tissue S-100 protein is mainly presented as two isoforms - bb homodimer (S-100b) and ab heterodimer (S-100a). Because of its predominant location in astroglial cells S-100 protein can be used as a sensitive and reliable marker for central nervous system injury. Structural damage of glial cells causes leakage of S-100 protein into the extracellular matrix and into cerebrospinal fluid, further releasing into the bloodstream. Measurements of S-100 protein in patient serum samples are useful in monitoring of traumatic brain injury, ischemic brain damage after circulatory arrests, and in diagnosis and prognosis of clinical outcome in acute stroke. Although predominant among the water-soluble brain proteins, S-100 is also found in a variety of other tissues. S-100 is an intracellular protein that weakly binds calcium. It binds zinc very tightly, however, and this appears to increase the affinity of the protein for calcium. Distinct binding sites, with different affinities, exist for both ions on each monomer. Physiological concentrations of potassium ion antagonize the binding of both divalent cations, especially affecting high-affinity calcium-binding sites.
Synonyms: S100 calcium-binding protein A1 S-100 protein subunit alpha S-100 protein alpha chain
Target Information: The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100 proteins are localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a wide range of cells, and involved in the regulation of a number of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100 genes include at least 13 members which are located as a cluster on chromosome 1q21\, however, this gene is located at 21q22.3. This protein may function in Neurite extension, proliferation of melanoma cells, stimulation of Ca2+ fluxes, inhibition of PKC-mediated phosphorylation, astrocytosis and axonal proliferation, and inhibition of microtubule assembly. Chromosomal rearrangements and altered expression of this gene have been implicated in several neurological, neoplastic, and other types of diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, melanoma, and type I diabetes. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]