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Abstract
Calcineurin is a calcium (Ca2+)/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein phosphatase that
has been shown to regulate the activity of ion channels, neurotransmitter and hormone
release, synaptic plasticity and gene transcription. At glutamatergic synapses, the
inhibition of calcineurin with immunosuppressant drugs has been reported to enhance
both the presynaptic release of glutamate and postsynaptic responsiveness. Several
other ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels are negatively regulated by calcineurin.
Hormone release in insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells and pituitary corticotrope
tumour (AtT20) cells is also negatively regulated by calcineurin. In this article,
Jerrel Yakel discusses the evidence that calcineurin plays a vital role in regulating
neuronal excitability and hormone release.