Implications of the thyroid hormone on neuronal development with special emphasis on the calmodulin-kinase IV pathway

Thyroid hormones influence brain development through regulation of gene expression. This is especially true for Ca2 +-dependent regulation since a major pathway is controlled by the Ca2 +/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) which in turn is induced by the thyroid hormone T3. In addition, CaMKIV is involved in regulation of alternative splicing of a number of protein isoforms, among them PMCA1a, the neuronal specific isoform of the plasma membrane calcium pump. On the other hand, hypothyroidism or CaMKIV deficiency can have a severe influence on brain development. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: ECS Meeting edited by Claus Heizmann, Joachim Krebs and Jacques Haiech.