Calcium/Calmodulin Dependent Protein Kinase IG (CAMK1G)

During a screen for novel putative Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK)-like CREB kinases (CLICKs), cloned a full-length cDNA for CLICK-III/CaMKIgamma, an isoform of the CaMKI family with an extended C-terminal domain ending with CAAX motif. As expected from the similarity of its kinase domain with the other CaMKI isoforms, full activation of CLICK-III/CaMKIgamma required both Ca(2+)/CaM and phosphorylation by CaMKK. Interestingly enough, CLICK-III/CaMKIgamma transcripts were most abundant in neurons, with the highest levels in limited nuclei such as the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and the ventromedial hypothalamus. Consistent with the presence of the CAAX motif, CLICK-III/CaMKIgamma was found to be anchored to various membrane compartments, especially to Golgi and plasma membranes.