The action of many vasodilators within the vasculature involves the influx of calcium ions. A defect in which of the following proteins would most likely result in reduced effectiveness of these types of drugs?

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Calmodulin is a calcium-binding messenger protein that is crucial for the activation of various enzymes and proteins, including those involved in vasodilation. A defect in calmodulin would impair calcium ion signaling, reducing the effectiveness of vasodilators that rely on calcium influx. Increases in intracellular calcium levels effects changes in various metabolic processes in part by binding to the calmodulin subunits of numerous proteins. The principal clinical actions of vasodilators that involve calcium mobilization due to their interactions with calmodulin or calmodulin-related proteins leads to reduced activation of Ca²⁺-regulated enzymes in certain tissues, such as myosin light chain kinase in vascular smooth muscle.

The Action of Many Vasodilators Within the Vasculature Involves the Influx