Calpain as one of the calcium signal mediators in the cell

This review gathers together the available information on the structural and functional properties of an intracellular calcium-dependent protease, calpain, and its inhibitors and activators. Changes in the ideas about the mechanism of enzyme activation, its interaction with substrate, and regulation of functions are considered in light of recently obtained information. The multi-faceted participation of calpain in the realization of one of the most important physiological function connected with calcium signalization is demonstrated with concrete example (in particular, in the case of a memory model, based on long-term synaptic potentiation). Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 142–156, March–April, 2000.