cAMP-specific 3',5'-cyclic phosphodiesterase 4A is an

enzyme An enzyme () is a protein that acts as a biological catalyst by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrate (chemistry), substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different mol ...

that in humans is encoded by the ''PDE4A''

gene In biology, the word gene has two meanings. The Mendelian gene is a basic unit of heredity. The molecular gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA. There are two types of molecular genes: protei ...

Function

The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) family, and PDE4 subfamily. This PDE hydrolyzes the secondary messenger, cAMP, which is a regulator and mediator of a number of cellular responses to extracellular signals. Thus, by regulating the cellular concentration of cAMP, this protein plays a key role in many important physiological processes. Recently, it has been shown through the use of PDE4A knock out mice that PDE4A may play a role in the regulation of anxiety and emotional memory.

Clinical significance

PDE4A inhibition is a target of a number of drugs including: * rolipram (antidepressant and antiinflammatory) and cilomilast (antiinflammatory) – inhibits PDE4A isoforms 1, 2, 6, and 7 * roflumilast (antiinflammatory) – inhibits PDE4A isoforms 1, 2, and 6 * tofisopam (anxiolytic with alleged antiinflammatory properties) – inhibits PDE4A isoform 1, PDE-10A1, PDE-3, and PDE-2A3

Function

Clinical significance

References

Further reading