title: Organ-specific distribution of the calcium sensor CaMKII in Locusta migratoria.
abstract: The Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinase CaMKII is a key signaling component in Ca(2+)-dependent physiological processes. The expression and function of CaMKII in insect brain is well documented but less investigated for other tissues of insects. The present study demonstrates that in the locust Locusta migratoria CaMKII is widely expressed in various tissues. Relatively high expression levels of CaMKII were found in the brain, upper part of the digestive tract (pharynx, esophagus), and the flight and leg muscles. The different expression patterns of CaMKII in various tissues, as well as different molecular masses of CaMKII between 48 and 60 kDa indicate a tissue-specific expression of CaMKII variants. The expression was monitored with a polyclonal anti-(rat)CaMKII antibody. About 60% of total CaMKII activity in flight muscle cells is associated to the myofibril-rich, particulate fraction suggesting an important role of CaMKII in sarcomeric function.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Zoophysiologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Braak
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fährmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006110:Grasshoppers / Q000201:enzymology*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010766:Phosphorylation
chemical_list: D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases