Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Electromechanical Assessment of Optogenetically Modulated Cardiomyocyte Activity
Published on: March 5, 2020
Calmodulin and CaMKII as molecular switches for cardiac ion channels
1Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 630 W 168th St, PH 7W 318, New York, NY 10032, USA. gp2004@columbia.edu
Abstract:
Because changes in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration are the final signals of electrical activity in excitable cells, many mechanisms have evolved to regulate Ca(2+) influx. Among the most important are those pathways that directly regulate the ion channels responsible for regulating and generating the Ca(2+) influx signal. Recent work has demonstrated that the Ca(2+) binding protein calmodulin (CaM) and the Ca(2+)/CaM-sensitive kinase CaMKII are important modulators of cardiac ion channels. Thus, Ca(2+) participates in feedback modulation to control electrical activity. This review highlights various mechanisms by which CaM and CaMKII regulate cardiovascular ion channel activity and presents a novel model for CaMKII regulation of Ca(V)1.2 Ca(2+) channel function.
Related Concept Videos
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
Sensory organs,...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
Voltage-gated Ion Channels
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Voltage-gated Ion Channels
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...

