Regulation of Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Channels by the Calcium Binding Protein Calsequestrin

The project is to examine the functional interaction between two proteins in skeletal muscle that are essential for Ca2 regulation and hence contraction, respiration and movement in all vertebrate species. One protein, the ryanodine receptor, releases calcium from stores inside the muscle cell. The other protein, calsequestrin, binds and sequesters calcium ions. We have recently discovered that the proteins also bind to each other and that calsequestrin regulates Ca2 release from the stores through the ryanodine receptor ion channel. This regulation is likely to be important in conserving store calcium during stress or fatigue.