Neuronal calcium sensor proteins: generating diversity in neuronal Ca2+ signalling

In neurons, intracellular calcium signals have crucial roles in activating neurotransmitter release and in triggering alterations in neuronal function. Calmodulin has been widely studied as a Ca2+ sensor that has several defined roles in neuronal Ca2+ signalling, but members of the neuronal calcium sensor protein family have also begun to emerge as key components in a number of regulatory pathways and have increased the diversity of neuronal Ca2+ signalling pathways. The differing properties of these proteins allow them to have discrete, non-redundant functions.