title: Participation of CaMKII in neuronal plasticity and memory formation.
abstract: 1. The unique biochemical properties of Ca(2+)/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II have made this enzyme one of the paradigmatic models of the forever searched "memory molecule." 2. In particular, the central participation of CaMKII as a sensor of the Ca(2+) signals generated by activation of NMDA receptors after the induction of long-term plastic changes, has encouraged the use of pharmacological, genetic, biochemical, and imaging tools to unveil the role of this kinase in the acquisition, consolidation, and expression of different types of memories. 3. Here we review some of the more exciting discoveries related to the mechanisms involved in CaMKII activation and synaptic plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Memória, Departamento de Bioquímica, ICBS, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brasil. mcammaro@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Martín
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cammarota
authors.forename: Lia R M
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Bevilaqua
authors.forename: Haydée
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Viola
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reichmann
authors.forename: Viviane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Mário
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bulla
authors.forename: Iván
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Izquierdo
authors.forename: Jorge H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Medina
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000378:metabolism; D013570:Synaptic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases