The divalent cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) are important for a multitude of cellular functions.
A G-protein coupled receptor, termed Calcium sensing receptor, responds to extracellular calcium and mediates several of the known effects of Ca on parathyroid and renal functions.
CaSR is expressed in a number of tissues including thyroid C-cells.
Brain, and GI tract.
Ca2+ acts as first messenger via CaSR-mediated activation of second messenger systems (e.g., phospholipase C and A2, cAMP) altering cellular physiology.
Several mutations in the human CaSR gene have been identified in several inherited diseases of calcium metabolism such as familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH), neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT), and autosomal dominant hypocalcemia (ADH).
Human CaSR is a 1078aa (Rat/mouse 1079aa) 7 transmembrane protein characterized by the presence of a single peptide, a large extracellular (~592aa) N-terminus and cytoplasmic C-terminus.
CASR has been documented in bone marrow, brain, breast (mostly cancer), colon, kidney, parathyroid, skin, stomach, and thyroid.
ESTs have been isolated from normal kidney and gallbladder, in addition to parathyroid cancer libraries.
Applications:Suitable for use in ELISA, Western Blot.