Parvalbumin

Parvalbumin is a small protein commonly found in the muscles of vertebrates, particularly in fish and amphibians. It plays a crucial role in calcium regulation within cells, helping muscles contract and relax efficiently. In the nervous system, parvalbumin acts as a neurotransmitter modulator, influencing the speed of communication between nerve cells. Due to its ability to bind calcium, parvalbumin is important for quickly responding to changes in calcium levels, making it vital for muscle function and certain brain processes, like precise timing in neural circuits. Its presence is often used as a marker in scientific studies of specific cell types.