Ion channel macromolecular complexes in the heart

The response to extracellular signals by ion channels requires the activity of several protein kinases and phosphatases to catalyze reversible phosphorylation/dephosphorylation events. The specificity of these events is governed in part, by subcellular targeting of distinct pools of kinases and phosphatases as well as their regulation by anchoring proteins. In several cases, multiple kinase and phosphatase anchoring proteins are bound to an ion channel, which permits rapid and specific regulation of the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events. Recently, the role of kinase and phosphatase anchoring proteins has been elucidated in various tissues, including the brain and the heart. This review summarizes the recent findings related to the concept of ion channel phosphorylation modulatory targeting proteins in the heart through the formation of macromolecular complexes.