calcineurin-mediated signaling

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

Any intracellular signal transduction in which the signal is passed on within the cell by activation of a transcription factor as a consequence of dephosphorylation by Ca(2+)-activated calcineurin. The process begins with calcium-dependent activation of the phosphatase calcineurin. Calcineurin is a calcium- and calmodulin-dependent serine/threonine protein phosphatase with a conserved function in eukaryotic species from yeast to humans. In yeast and fungi, calcineurin regulates stress signaling and cell cycle, and sporulation and virulence in pathogenic fungi. In metazoans, calcineurin is involved in cell commitment, organogenesis and organ development and immune function of T-lymphocytes. By a conserved mechanism, calcineurin phosphatase activates fungal Crz1 and mammalian NFATc by dephosphorylation and translocation of these transcription factors to the nucleus to regulate gene expression. [GOC:di, PMID:25655284, PMID:25878052, PMID:26851544]

Calcineurin-mediated signaling is a crucial intracellular signaling pathway that plays a vital role in regulating a wide range of cellular processes, including gene expression, immune responses, neuronal plasticity, and muscle development. The pathway is initiated by the activation of T cell receptors (TCRs) or other surface receptors, leading to the production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG). IP3 triggers the release of calcium (Ca2+) from intracellular stores, while DAG activates protein kinase C (PKC). The rise in intracellular Ca2+ levels promotes the binding of calmodulin to calcineurin, a serine/threonine phosphatase, leading to its activation. Activated calcineurin then dephosphorylates the transcription factor NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells), allowing it to translocate to the nucleus and activate the transcription of target genes involved in immune responses, cell proliferation, and other processes. The calcineurin-NFAT pathway is tightly regulated by various factors, including protein phosphatases, protein kinases, and other signaling molecules. Its dysregulation has been implicated in various diseases, including autoimmune disorders, heart failure, and neurological disorders. Calcineurin-mediated signaling is a complex and highly regulated process that plays a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating diverse cellular functions.'
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Proteins (3)

Compounds (4)