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.
Also Known As:
Ca2+-Activated Protease; Calcium-Activated Neutral Proteinase; Calcium-Activated Protease; Calcium-Dependent Neutral Protease; Calpain I; Calpain II; 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; Calcium-Activated Neutral Protease; Calcium-Dependent Neutral Proteinase