title: Molecular mechanisms of CaMKII activation in neuronal plasticity.
abstract: Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is thought to be a critical mediator of neuronal plasticity that links transiently triggered Ca(2+) signals to persistent changes in neuronal physiology. In one of its roles, CaMKII is an essential player in the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated increase in conductance at glutamatergic synapses, a process described as long-term potentiation, which serves as a common model for neuronal plasticity and memory. Recent studies have used genetic, biochemical, live cell imaging and mathematical modeling approaches to investigate neuronal CaMKII and have led to a model of the molecular steps of CaMKII translocation and activation that can explain its role in neuronal plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Stanford University, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, CCSR Building, Room 3230, 269 Campus Drive, Stanford, California 94305, USA. cfink@stanford.edu
authors.forename: Charles C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases