Spatial control of cAMP signalling in health and disease

The cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate signalling pathway is now recognised to transduce signals in a compartmentalised manner such that individual stimuli only engage a subset of the pathway components that are physically constrained within defined subcellular locales, thus resulting in a precise functional outcome. As we are starting to appreciate the complexity of the spatial organisation and of the temporal regulation of this pathway, it is becoming clear that disruption of local signalling may lead to pathology and that local manipulation of cAMP signals may offer alternative approaches to treat disease.

► cAMP/PKA signalling is tightly controlled in space and time.
► Local control of cAMP/PKA signals relies on spatial confinements of the pathway components.
► Altered cAMP/PKA compartmentalisation may lead to disease.
► Local manipulation of cAMP signals may offer an alternative therapeutic approach.