Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type I I subunit alpha, also known as CaM kinase II subunit alpha, CAMKA, and CAMK2A, is a member of the protein kinase superfamily, CAMK Ser/Thr protein kinase family, and CaMK subfamily. CAMK2A contains one protein kinase domain. CAMK2 is a prominent kinase in the central nervous system that may function in long-term potentiation and neurotransmitter release. As a member of the NMDAR signaling complex in excitatory synapses, it may regulate NMDAR-dependent potentiation of the AMPAR and synaptic plasticity. CAMK2 is composed of four different chains: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. The different isoforms assemble into homo- or heteromultimeric holoenzymes composed of 8 to 12 subunits. CAMK2 interacts with BAALC, MPDZ, SYN1, CAMK2N2 and SYNGAP1.
