Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Johnson, Christopher N.

Committee Member

Bishop, G. Reid

Committee Member

Emerson, Joseph P.

Committee Member

Fitzkee, Nicholas C.

Date of Degree

12-10-2021

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Chemistry

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Chemistry

Abstract

Calmodulin is a prevalent calcium sensing protein found in all cells. Three genes exist for calmodulin and all three of these genes encode for the exact same protein sequence. Recently mutations in the amino acid sequence of calmodulin have been identified in living human patients. Thus far, patients harboring these mutations in the calmodulin sequence have only displayed an altered cardiac related phenotype. Calcineurin is involved in many key physiological processes and its activity is regulated by calcium and calmodulin. In order to assess whether or not calcineurin contributes to calmodulinopathy (a pathological state arising from dysfunctional calmodulin), a comprehensive search of relevant literature has been performed. Herein, the physiological roles of calcineurin and consequences of dysfunction have been reviewed for literature focused on the heart.

Share

COinS