Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II (CaMKII) is a multifunctional serine/threonine kinase that plays a pivotal role in various cellular processes, including synaptic plasticity, memory formation, and cardiac function. The enzyme is activated by the binding of calcium/calmodulin and is known for its ability to phosphorylate a wide range of substrates. Inhibitors of CaMKII, such as the human recombinant CaMKII Inhibitor 2, are crucial tools for studying the enzyme’s function and potential therapeutic applications.
CaMKII is a holoenzyme composed of multiple subunits, each containing a catalytic domain, a regulatory domain, and an association domain. The enzyme is activated when calcium-bound calmodulin binds to the regulatory domain, causing a conformational change that exposes the catalytic site. This activation allows CaMKII to phosphorylate various target proteins, influencing numerous cellular pathways.
CaMKII is highly expressed in the brain, where it is involved in synaptic plasticity and memory formation. It is also present in cardiac tissue, where it regulates calcium handling and cardiac contractility. Dysregulation of CaMKII activity has been implicated in various diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, heart failure, and diabetes .
CaMKII inhibitors, such as the human recombinant CaMKII Inhibitor 2, are essential for dissecting the enzyme’s role in cellular processes. These inhibitors can be used to study the effects of CaMKII inhibition on cellular function and to explore potential therapeutic applications. For example, CaMKII inhibitors have been shown to restore cardiac contractility and relaxation in diabetic hearts, suggesting a potential role in treating diabetic cardiomyopathy .
The human recombinant CaMKII Inhibitor 2 is a synthetic peptide designed to specifically inhibit CaMKII activity. This inhibitor is produced using recombinant DNA technology, which allows for the generation of highly pure and consistent peptide products. The inhibitor works by binding to the catalytic domain of CaMKII, preventing its activation and subsequent phosphorylation of target proteins.
Human recombinant CaMKII Inhibitor 2 is widely used in research to study the role of CaMKII in various cellular processes. It has been employed in studies investigating the enzyme’s involvement in synaptic plasticity, memory formation, and cardiac function. Additionally, CaMKII inhibitors are being explored as potential therapeutic agents for diseases associated with CaMKII dysregulation, such as Alzheimer’s disease, heart failure, and diabetes .