Chemicals and Drugs

Calpain

Cysteine proteinase found in many tissues. Hydrolyzes a variety of endogenous proteins including NEUROPEPTIDES; CYTOSKELETAL PROTEINS; proteins from SMOOTH MUSCLE; CARDIAC MUSCLE; liver; platelets; and erythrocytes. Two subclasses having high and low calcium sensitivity are known. Removes Z-discs and M-lines from myofibrils. Activates phosphorylase kinase and cyclic nucleotide-independent protein kinase. This enzyme was formerly listed as EC 3.4.22.4.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Cysteine proteinase found in many tissues. Hydrolyzes a variety of endogenous proteins including NEUROPEPTIDES; CYTOSKELETAL PROTEINS; proteins from SMOOTH MUSCLE; CARDIAC MUSCLE; liver; platelets; and erythrocytes. Two subclasses having high and low calcium sensitivity are known. Removes Z-discs and M-lines from myofibrils. Activates phosphorylase kinase and cyclic nucleotide-independent protein kinase. This enzyme was formerly listed as EC 3.4.22.4.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

25 entry terms
  • Ca2+-Activated Protease
  • Calcium-Activated Neutral Protease
  • Calcium-Activated Neutral Proteinase
  • Calcium-Activated Protease
  • Calcium-Dependent Neutral Protease
  • Calcium-Dependent Neutral Proteinase
  • Desminase
  • Ca2+ Activated Protease
  • Calcium Activated Neutral Protease
  • Calcium Activated Neutral Proteinase
  • Calcium Activated Protease
  • Calcium Dependent Neutral Protease
  • Calcium Dependent Neutral Proteinase
  • Neutral Protease, Calcium-Activated
  • Neutral Protease, Calcium-Dependent
  • Neutral Proteinase, Calcium-Activated
  • Neutral Proteinase, Calcium-Dependent
  • Protease, Ca2+-Activated
  • Protease, Calcium-Activated
  • Protease, Calcium-Activated Neutral
  • Protease, Calcium-Dependent Neutral
  • Proteinase, Calcium-Activated Neutral
  • Proteinase, Calcium-Dependent Neutral
  • Calpain I
  • Calpain II

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

29 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, ultrastructure, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

/biosyn /physiol permitted

MeSH Record

History Note

86

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Peptide Peptidohydrolases (1966-1985)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D08.811w.277w.656w.262w.500.120w
  2. D08.811w.277w.656w.300w.200.120w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QU 136

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Calpain. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D002154. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D002154
  2. Calpain. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calpain
  3. Calpain. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2934402