Ca2+- binding proteins of the S100 family in preeclampsia

S100 proteins bind Ca2+ and regulate various signaling pathways inside and outside the cell. They are expressed in vertebrates and exhibit tissue and cell specific distribution. Of note, increased level of S100 proteins is observed in different pathologies such as cancers, nervous system diseases/neurodegeneration, inflammation or cardiovascular diseases. Certain S100 proteins can be found in serum and/or other body fluids, at an especially high level in pathological states. Thus, S100 proteins might serve as diagnostic markers in the clinic. Interestingly, expression of many S100 proteins is found to be associated with pregnancy, which suggests that alterations in their expression during pregnancy may regulate processes involved in embryo/fetus formation. In this review we summarize available literature data concerning the expression and possible function of S100 proteins in a disease of pregnant women known as preeclampsia or EPH-gestosis.