Acta Anatomica Sinica ›› 2019, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (3): 395-399.doi: 10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2019.03.022

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Structure of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type Ⅱ and its role in nervous system

WANG Tong-tong 1,2 CHEN Zhi-chi 1,2 YE Xin 1,2 FU Wei-da3 CHEN Meng-jiao3 LI Jun-nan3 SUN Chen-you 1,2*   

  1. 1.Department of Anatomy,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Wenzhou 325035, China;  2.Institution of Neuroscience, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University,Zhejiang Wenzhou 325035,China;  3.The First Clinical Medical College,Wenzhou Medical University,Zhejiang Wenzhou 325035, China
  • Received:2018-07-11 Revised:2018-08-21 Online:2019-06-06 Published:2019-06-06
  • Contact: SUN Chen-you E-mail:sunchenyou1972@aliyun.com

Abstract:

Calcium (Ca2+ ) has long been recognized as a crucial intracellular messenger attaining stimuli specific cellular outcomes via localized signaling. Ca2+ binding proteins, such as calmodulin (CaM) and its target proteins are key to Ca2+ -dependent signaling events. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type Ⅱ (CaMKⅡ) is a highly abundant polymer enzyme comprising a significant fraction of total protein in mammalian forebrain and forming a major component of the postsynaptic density. In recent years, studies have shown that CaMKⅡ contains four subtypes of α, β, γ and δ, in which CaMKⅡ α and β are mainly expressed in nerve tissues and γ and δ are expressed in the whole body. They are essential for certain synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation processes, both in the central nervous system and in the excitability of the nervous system and in some neurological diseases. CaMKⅡ may play an important role in the pathogenesis of some nervous system diseases. Previous studies have also shown tha CaMKⅡδ plays an important role in promoting neuronal survival. The structure of CaMKⅡ and its role in nervous system and its relationship with related nervous system diseases will be reviewed.

Key words: Calcium, Calmodulin, Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type Ⅱ