Synonyms:
PALB1, Pva, PVALB, D22S749, MGC116759, Parvalbumin alpha, PRVA_HUMAN, parvalbumin, PV.
Introduction:
Parvalbumin (PV) is a calcium binding protein expressed in specific muscle fibers and fast-firing neurons. PV consists of a single, unbranched chain of linked amino acids and belongs to a larger group of EF hand proteins. Studies have demonstrated that parvalbumin acts in the decay of calcium in the contraction/ relaxation cycle of fast twitch muscles. This data has shown a positive correlation between the rate of relaxation and the concentration of parvalbumin. Parvalbumin is also expressed in a specific population of GABAergic interneurones which are thought to play a role in maintaining the balance between excitation and inhibition in the cortex as well as the hippocampus.