Cellular roles of neuronal calcium sensor-1 and calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases in fungi.

The neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) possesses a consensus signal for N-terminal myristoylation and four EF-hand Ca-binding sites, and mediates the effects of cytosolic Ca. Minute changes in free intracellular Ca are quickly transformed into changes in the activity of several kinases including calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (Ca/CaMKs) that are involved in regulating many eukaryotic cell functions. However, our current knowledge of NCS-1 and Ca/CaMKs comes mostly from studies of the mammalian enzymes. Thus far very few fungal homologues of NCS-1 and Ca/CaMKs have been characterized and little is known about their cellular roles. In this minireview, we describe the known sequences, interactions with target proteins and cellular roles of NCS-1 and Ca/CaMKs in fungi. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]