School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-2026
Abstract
Calcium signaling in neuronal cells is the principal mechanism underlying learning and synaptic plasticity, whereas the postsynaptic density (PSD) is an important center where calcium-dependent processes are organized and regulated. This review explores the roles of calmodulin (CaM) in facilitating calcium-dependent modulation of the activities of synaptic proteins in the PSD. We focus on the molecular processes through which CaM interacts with calcium signals to regulate the function, localization, and interactions of central synaptic proteins, including calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), membrane-associated guanylate kinases (MAGUKs), and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. We aim to summarize recent advances in structural, biochemical, and imaging studies of how CaM’s structural flexibility, calcium binding kinetics, and protein-protein interactions uncover complex regulatory loops that allow exquisite temporal and spatial control over synaptic efficacy. Additionally, research progress on how disruptions of CaM-mediated signaling pathways are linked to neurological diseases, which may be conducive to new potential therapeutic interventions, is discussed.
Recommended Citation
Shah, Keyaa Dilip, and Yonghong Zhang. "Calcium signaling and postsynaptic density dynamics: the roles of calmodulin in synaptic protein regulation." Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience 19 (2026): 1831452. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2026.1831452
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Publication Title
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
DOI
10.3389/fnmol.2026.1831452
Comments
© 2026 Shah and Zhang.
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