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Chapter 12: Molecular and cellular studies on brain calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

  • T. R. Soderling
  • , K. Fukunaga
  • , D. A. Brickey
  • , Y. L. Fong
  • , D. P. Rich
  • , K. Smith
  • , R. J. Colbran

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This chapter discusses brain CaM-kinase II with a particular focus on its unique regulatory properties, its regulation in cultured brain cells, and its physiological functions. CaM-kinase II has widespread tissue distribution as oligomeric isozyme forms and is particularly abundant in the brain. In certain regions of the brain, such as hippocampus, it constitutes up to 2% of total protein, which probably makes it the most abundant enzyme in these tissues. CaM-kinase II is localized presynaptically where it is involved in Ca2+-dependent regulation of neurotransmitter biosynthesis and exocytosis. At excitatory synapses in forebrain, there is a thickening of the postsynaptic membrane called the postsynaptic density (PSD), and CaM-kinase II constitutes about 30–50% of the protein in the PSD. These excitatory synapses are subject to a usage-dependent enhancement of synaptic transmission called long-term potentiation (LTP)—a popular model for learning and memory.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)169-183
Number of pages15
JournalProgress in Brain Research
Volume89
Issue numberC
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1991
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeR01NS027037

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Neuroscience

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