CAMK4

CaMK4, also known as calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV, is a member of the CaMK family of protein kinases. It is encoded by the CAMK4 gene and is found in various tissues throughout the body, including the brain, heart, and skeletal muscle. CaMK4 plays a crucial role in synaptic plasticity, a process by which the strength of synapses (the connections between neurons) is modified. This is essential for learning and memory formation. CaMK4 is activated by calcium ions in the presence of calmodulin, a calcium-binding protein. Once activated, CaMK4 phosphorylates various substrates, including itself, leading to a positive feedback loop that amplifies the kinase's activity. This process is thought to be involved in the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP), a form of synaptic strengthening that underlies certain types of learning and memory. CaMK4 also has roles in other cellular processes, such as cell proliferation and differentiation, and is implicated in various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders and cancer.