CAMKK2

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 is an is_associated_with::enzyme that in humans is encoded by the CAMKK2 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
The product of this gene belongs to the is_associated_with::serine/threonine-specific protein kinase family, and to the Ca++/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase subfamily. This protein plays a role in the calcium/calmodulin-dependent (CaM) kinase cascade by phosphorylating the downstream kinases CaMK1 and CaMK4.

CaMKK2 regulates production of the appetite stimulating hormone is_associated_with::neuropeptide Y and functions as an AMPK kinase in the is_associated_with::hypothalamus. It also has an important role in the development of is_associated_with::hyperalgesia and tolerance to is_associated_with::opioid analgesic drugs, through reduction in downstream signalling pathways and is_associated_with::mu opioid receptor downregulation. Inhibition of CaMKK2 in mice reduces appetite and promotes weight loss.

Isoforms
Seven transcript variants encoding six distinct isoforms have been identified for this gene. Additional splice variants have been described but their full-length nature has not been determined. The identified isoforms exhibit a distinct ability to undergo autophosphorylation and to phosphorylate the downstream kinases.