title: Calcineurin regulation of neuronal plasticity.
abstract: From the most basic of nervous systems to the intricate circuits found within the human brain, a fundamental requirement of neuronal function is that it be malleable, altering its output based upon experience. A host of cellular proteins are recruited for this purpose, which themselves are regulated by protein phosphorylation. Over the past several decades, research has demonstrated that the Ca(2+) and calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin (protein phosphatase 2B) is a critical regulator of a diverse array of proteins, leading to both short- and long-term effects on neuronal excitability and function. This review describes many of the influences of calcineurin on a variety of proteins, including ion channels, neurotransmitter receptors, enzymes, and transcription factors. Intriguingly, due to the bi-directional influences of Ca(2+) and calmodulin on calcineurin activity, the strength and duration of particular stimulations may cause apparently antagonistic functions of calcineurin to work in concert.
authors: Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 6-145 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors: Rachel D
authors: RD
authors: Groth
authors: Robert L
authors: RL
authors: Dunbar
authors: Paul G
authors: PG
authors: Mermelstein
mesh_terms: D019703:Calcineurin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000502:physiology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D019703:Calcineurin