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

Abstract 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 Ca 2+ as one of the key regulators of the cell is discussed with respect to a recently discovered Ca 2+ -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.