We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Calcineurin?

By S. Berger
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,727
Share

Calcineurin is a protein enzyme sometimes known as protein phosphatase 3. This protein is a phosphatase, meaning that it functions by removing phosphate groups from other macromolecules. The effect of this action varies by substrate, but often includes turning other enzymes on or off.

This enzyme has several important purposes in the human body. Calcineurin can assist in the immune response by activating the immune cells known as T cells. It may also play a role in regulating working memory and attention due to its effects on certain brain receptors. In diabetics, it can cause pancreatic cells to function properly.

Calcineurin is part of a signaling pathway that allows it to exert its effects on T cells. When these T cells recognize invaders, they allow calcium into their cytoplasm. This increase in calcium activates calcineurin, via regulatory proteins.

Once activated, calcineurin removes a phosphate from the enzyme called "nuclear factor of activated T cell, cytoplasmic" (NFATc). NFATc is then activated, and moves from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, where it encourages the gene expression and production of interleukin-2 (IL-2). NFATc is rapidly expelled from the nucleus, so calcineurin must be continually activated for IL-2 production to continue.

IL-2, in turn, activates helper T cells, which produce signaling proteins called cytokines. These cytokines promote an immune response from several types of immune cells. Calcineurin is therefore an essential component of the immune system.

The same pathway involving calcinuerin and NFATc is used in neurons. When stimulated, neurons allow calcium into their cytoplasm, activating this enzyme. This process has the net effect of guiding axons to other neurons and strengthening connections. The hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory, is where this process has been seen at work, and accounts for the enzyme's integral role in learning and memory.

This enzyme seems to be essential to proper fetal development. Studies have shown that the calcineurin and NFATc system is involved in lung development and function. This same system has also been found to assist in the expression of genes involved in heart valve development. In the heart, calcineurin is only seen to be activated on the days that the heart valve forms.

In adults, this enzyme can still affect the heart. During periods of stress in development, heart cells grow larger in a condition known as hypertrophy. An overabundance of a deficient form of it causes this effect to carry over into adulthood. When this effect occurs in a person with hypertension, it can be quite dangerous.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-calcineurin.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.