Widespread Roles of CaMK-II in Developmental Pathways

The multifunctional Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type 2 (CaMK-II) was first discovered in brain tissue and shown to have a central role in long term potentiation, responding to Ca²⁺ elevations through voltage dependent channels. CaMK-II has a unique molecular mechanism that enables it to remain active in proportion to the degree (frequency and amplitude) of Ca²⁺ elevations, long after such elevations have subsided. Ca²⁺ is also a rapid activator of early development and CaMK-II is expressed and activated in early development. Using biochemical, pharmacological and genetic approaches, the functions of CaMK-II overlap remarkably well with those for Ca²⁺ elevations, post-fertilization. Conclusion. Activated CaMK-II plays a central role in decoding Ca²⁺ signals to activate specific events during early development; a majority of the known functions of elevated Ca²⁺ act though CaMK-II.