An increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration induces apoptotic cell death. Transiently elevated Ca2+ concentrations are required for glucocorticoid-mediated and T cell receptor-mediated pathways, leading to T cell apoptosis. ALG-2 (for apoptosis-linked gene 2) is a Ca2+ -binding protein that participates in regulatory events occuring late in the apoptotic program and where several death signals converge. ALG-2 is a protein expressed in normal brain, and to a greater extent in ischemic brain. The ALG-2 protein contains five EF-hand-like motifs and shares homology with members of the penta EF-hand family, which includes Calpain small subunits sorcin and Grancalcin.