S100B (S100 calcium binding protein B) is a member of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium binding motifs. S100 proteins are localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a wide range of cells, and involved in the regulation of a number of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S-100 proteins and parvalbumin proteins are each expressed in neural tissues. In addition, S100B are present in a variety of other tissues, and calbindin is present in intestine and kidney. Parvalbumin B is found in many tumor tissues as well as in the organ of Corti. Calbindin, S-100 proteins and parvalbulmins have all been detected in leydig cells and the testis. These proteins are thought to play a role in hormone production and spermatogenesis. Chromosomal rearrangements and altered expression of this gene have been implicated in several neurological, neoplastic, and other types of diseases, including Alzheimers disease, Downs syndrome, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, melanoma, and type I diabetes.
