Ca 2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (CaMKⅡ) is a member of a family of Ca 2+/calmodulin-regulated protein kinases which also includes Ca 2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases Ⅰ and Ⅲ, myosin light chain kinases and phosphorylase kinase. Unlike the other members of this family, CaMKⅡ is multifunctional protein kinase and distributes in a variety of tissues. It is especially abundant in neuronal system. In hippocampus, CaMKⅡ is about 2% of the total protein. Studies have shown that CaMKⅡ plays an important role in a variety of biological processes, such as regulation of gene transcription, synthesis of neurotransmitter, phosphorylation of cytoskeletonal protein, hippocampal learning and memory formation.
