The cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) is a key determinant of neuronal information transfer and processing. It controls a plethora of fundamental processes, including transmitter release and the induction of synaptic plasticity. This enigmatic second messenger conveys its wide variety of actions by binding to a subgroup of Ca2+ binding proteins (CaBPs) known as "Ca2+ sensors". Well known examples of Ca2+ sensors are Troponin-C in skeletal muscle, Synaptotagmin in presynaptic terminals, and Calmodulin (CaM) in all eukaryotic cells. Since the levels of [Ca2+]i directly influence the potency of Ca2+ sensors, the Ca2+ concentration is tightly controlled by several mechanisms including another type of Ca2+ binding proteins, the Ca2+ buffers. Prominent examples of Ca2+ buffers include Parvalbumin (PV), Calbindin-D28k (CB) and Calretinin (CR), although for the latter two Ca2+ sensor functions were recently also suggested. Ca2+ buffers are distinct from sensors by their purely buffering action, i.e. they influence the spatio-temporal extent of Ca2+ signals, without directly binding downstream target proteins. Details of their action depend on their binding kinetics, mobility, and concentration. Thus, neurons can control the range of action of Ca2+ by the type and concentration of CaBPs expressed. Since buffering strongly limits the range of action of free Ca2+, the structure of the Ca2+ signaling domain and the topographical relationships between the sites of Ca2+ influx and the location of the Ca2+ sensors are |