Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases

Protein-dependent kinases are key regulators of many cellular events. One important class, the calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CaMkinases), is dependent on changes of the intracellular concentrations of the second messenger Ca2+. In this chapter the structural and functional properties of CaMkinases are summarized. The different kinases known to date can be either monospecific for one substrate or multifunctional, recognizing a number of different substrates. CaMkinases are involved in the regulation of many different cellular processes such as neurotransmitter release, muscle contraction, cell proliferation, gene expression, and long term potentiation and depression. Their participation in these different regulatory pathways are evaluated.