Sisters Acts: Converging Signaling Between CaMKII and CaMKIV Two Members of the Same Family

摘要

Calcium (Ca²⁺) is a universal second messenger that regulates a number of diverse cellular processes including cell proliferation, development, motility, secretion, learning and memory, . A variety of stimuli, such as hormones, growth factors, cytokines, and neurotransmitters induce changes in the intracellular levels of Ca²⁺. The most ubiquitous and abundant protein that serves as a receptor to sense changes in Ca²⁺ concentrations is Calmodulin (CaM), thus mediating the role as second messenger of this ion. The Ca²⁺/CaM complex initiates a plethora of signaling cascades that culminate in alteration of cell functions. Among the many Ca²⁺/CaM binding proteins, the multifunctional protein kinases CaMKII and CaMKIV play pivotal roles in the cell.