The S100 family of EF-hand calcium-binding proteins: Functions and pathology

Calcium ions as second messengers control many biological processes, at least in part, via interaction with a large number of Ca2+-binding proteins. One class of these proteins shares a common Ca2+-binding motif, the EF-hand. Here, we describe some functional aspects of EF-hand proteins, which have been found recently in different cellular compartments. Novel links between EF-hand proteins, particularly S100 proteins, and specific diseases are now emerging.