Calcium influx through Cav1.2 is a proximal signal for pathological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

► The higher the expression of Cavβ2a in mice, the more Ca2+ influx and hypertrophy. ► Increased Ca2+ influx promotes hypertrophic response to TAC in mice. ► Cavβ2a expression induces cardiac myocyte hypertrophy in culture. ► Increased cytosolic Ca2+ activates calcineurin/NFAT pathway. ► SR-nuclear envelope Ca2+ release activates CaMK II/HDAC pathway.