ALG-2:: a Ca2+-binding modulator protein involved in cell proliferation and in cell death

During the development of an organism, cell proliferation, differentiation and cell death are tightly balanced, and are controlled by a number of different regulators. Alterations in this balance are often observed in a variety of human diseases. The role of Ca2+ as one of the key regulators of the cell is discussed with respect to a recently discovered Ca2+-binding protein, ALG-2, which is highly upregulated in cancerous tissues of different origins. The role of ALG-2 as a possible clinical marker and, molecularly, as a possible modulator at the interface between cell proliferation and cell death is discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.