What is "regucalcin"

Regucalcin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the RGN gene.

The protein encoded by this gene is a highly conserved, calcium-binding protein, that is preferentially expressed in the liver and kidney. It may have an important role in calcium homeostasis. Studies in rats indicate that this protein may also play a role in aging, as it shows age-associated down-regulation. This gene is part of a gene cluster on chromosome Xp11.3-Xp11.23. Alternative splicing results in two transcript variants having different 5' UTRs, but encoding the same protein.

Regucalcin is a proposed name for a calcium-binding protein that was discovered in 1978. This protein is also known as Senescence Marker Protein-30 (SMP30). Regucalcin differs from calmodulin and other Ca-related proteins as it does not contain an EF-hand motif of Ca-binding domain. It may regulate the effect of Ca on liver cell functions. From many investigations, regucalcin has been shown to play a multifunctional role in many cell types as a regulatory protein in the intracellular signaling system.