The role of CaMKII in diabetic heart dysfunction

Heart Fail Rev. 2015 Sep;20(5):589-600. doi: 10.1007/s10741-015-9498-3.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an increasing epidemic that places a significant burden on health services worldwide. The incidence of heart failure (HF) is significantly higher in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients. One underlying mechanism proposed for the link between DM and HF is activation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKIIδ). CaMKIIδ mediates ion channel function and Ca(2+) handling during excitation-contraction and excitation-transcription coupling in the myocardium. CaMKIIδ activity is up-regulated in the myocardium of diabetic patients and mouse models of diabetes, where it promotes pathological signaling that includes hypertrophy, fibrosis and apoptosis. Pharmacological inhibition and knockout models of CaMKIIδ have shown some promise of a potential therapeutic benefit of CaMKIIδ inhibition, with protection against cardiac hypertrophy and apoptosis reported. This review will highlight the pathological role of CaMKIIδ in diabetes and discuss CaMKIIδ as a therapeutic target in DM, and also the effects of exercise on CaMKIIδ.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2* / physiology
  • Diabetic Cardiomyopathies* / metabolism
  • Diabetic Cardiomyopathies* / physiopathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Myocardial Contraction / physiology
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2