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56107 
Journal Article 
Calmodulin: its potential role in cell proliferation and heavy metal toxicity 
Cheung, WY 
1984 
Yes 
FASEB Journal
ISSN: 0892-6638
EISSN: 1530-6860 
43 
15 
2995-2999 
English 
Increasing evidence indicates that calmodulin, the ubiquitous Ca2+-binding protein in eukaryotes, serves as a major intracellular Ca2+ receptor regulating the activity or rate of many key enzymes and cellular processes, including a potential role in cell proliferation. Certain heavy metals are highly toxic to the cell; preliminary findings from our laboratory suggest that these metals effectively substitute for Ca2+ in calmodulin. Activation of calmodulin by these metals could upset its normal regulation by the cellular flux of Ca2+. Perhaps this could constitute in part a basis for the toxicity of these metals in cell physiology.