Compositions corresponding to a calcium transporter and methods of making and using same

Abstract

Nucleic-acid and amino-acid sequences correspond to a calcium-transport protein regulating the movement of calcium across cell membranes.

What is claimed is:  
     
         18 . A method of inhibiting uptake of calcium by cells, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a first nucleic acid that is complementary to at least a portion of a second nucleic acid encoding a protein that transports calcium across a membrane, the second nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1, or substitutions or modifications of the sequence, wherein the substituted or modified protein transports calcium across a cellular membrane and is at least 75% identical to SEQ ID NO:2 but distinct from EcaC; and    b. introducing the first nucleic acid into the cells, whereby the first nucleic acid blocks functional expression of a polypeptide encoded by the second nucleic acid.