title: The Ca(2+)/Calmodulin/CaMKK2 Axis: Nature's Metabolic CaMshaft.
abstract: Calcium (Ca(2+)) is an essential ligand that binds its primary intracellular receptor calmodulin (CaM) to trigger a variety of downstream processes and pathways. Central to the actions of Ca(2+)/CaM is the activation of a highly conserved Ca(2+)/CaM kinase (CaMK) cascade that amplifies Ca(2+) signals through a series of subsequent phosphorylation events. Proper regulation of Ca(2+) flux is necessary for whole-body metabolism and disruption of Ca(2+) homeostasis has been linked to various metabolic diseases. Here we provide a synthesis of recent advances that highlight the roles of the Ca(2+)/CaMK axis in key metabolic tissues. An appreciation of this information is critical to understanding the mechanisms by which Ca(2+)/CaM-dependent signaling contributes to metabolic homeostasis and disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Kathrina L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Marcelo
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: armeans@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Anthony R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Means
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: york@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: York
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D054737:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Kinase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002147:Calmodulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010766:Phosphorylation; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002147:Calmodulin; D054737:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Kinase; D002118:Calcium
keywords: AMPK; CaMKIV; CaMKK2; calcium; calmodulin