Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in heart failure

Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is now recognized to play a central role in myocardial biology and disease. CaMKII appears to grade myocardial performance and regulate heart rate by catalyzing the phosphorylation of major proteins involved in cardiac excitation-contraction coupling. Under pathological stress, CaMKII activates hypertrophic and inflammatory transcriptional pathways and promotes apoptosis. Animal studies suggest that CaMKII inhibition may be an effective approach for treating common forms of structural heart disease.