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A role for calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in cardiac disease and arrhythmia

T J Hund1, Y Rudy

  • 1Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8118, Saint Louis, MO 63118, USA. thund@wustl.edu

Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology
|April 14, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a multifunctional kinase crucial for cellular activities. Its altered activity impacts brain and heart function, suggesting CaMKII as a potential therapeutic target for heart disease.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a multifunctional kinase discovered over 20 years ago.
  • CaMKII is activated by calcium/calmodulin and possesses autophosphorylating capabilities.
  • It plays a central role in regulating diverse cellular activities and impacts brain and heart function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the significance of CaMKII in cellular functions.
  • To highlight the role of CaMKII in cardiac physiology and pathology.
  • To explore CaMKII as a potential therapeutic target for heart diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of CaMKII research.
  • Analysis of CaMKII's biophysical properties and activation mechanisms.
  • Examination of CaMKII's role in cardiac conditions like hypertrophy and heart failure.

Main Results:

  • CaMKII's widespread distribution and broad substrate specificity are key features.
  • Altered CaMKII activity is linked to profound impacts on brain and heart function.
  • Changes in cardiac CaMKII expression are observed during hypertrophy, heart failure, ischemia, and infarction.

Conclusions:

  • CaMKII is a critical regulator of cellular processes with significant implications for neurological and cardiac health.
  • The modulation of CaMKII activity presents a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention in cardiovascular diseases.
  • Further research into CaMKII's role in heart disease may lead to novel treatment strategies.

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