Effects of metal ions on recombinant calcineurin A subunit

Effects of metal ions on activities and solution conformations of calcineurin A subunit have been examined. The ability of several metal ions to activate calcineurin A has been tested with Ni2+> Mn2+> Mg2+/Ca2+. The corresponding CD spectra and intrinsic fluorescent emission spectra show that calcineurin A exists in different metal ion-dependent conformation states. Effects of the different concentritions of Ni2+ on activities and solution conformations of calcineurin A have been tested too. Results indicate that effects of these metal ions to activate calcineurin are due to their conformational changes.