The Multi-Functional Calcium/Calmodulin Stimulated Protein Kinase (CaMK) Family: Emerging Targets for Anti-Cancer Therapeutic Intervention

The importance of Ca2+ signalling in key events of cancer cell function and tumour progression, such as proliferation, migration, invasion and survival, has recently begun to be appreciated. Many cellular Ca2+-stimulated signalling cascades utilise the intermediate, calmodulin (CaM). The Ca2+/CaM co...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Joshua S. Brzozowski, Kathryn A. Skelding
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-01-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/12/1/8
Description
Summary:The importance of Ca2+ signalling in key events of cancer cell function and tumour progression, such as proliferation, migration, invasion and survival, has recently begun to be appreciated. Many cellular Ca2+-stimulated signalling cascades utilise the intermediate, calmodulin (CaM). The Ca2+/CaM complex binds and activates a variety of enzymes, including members of the multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated protein kinase (CaMK) family. These enzymes control a broad range of cancer-related functions in a multitude of tumour types. Herein, we explore the cancer-related functions of these kinases and discuss their potential as targets for therapeutic intervention.
ISSN:1424-8247