Molecule of the month, PDE4DIP

The gene product, phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) is anchored at the centrosome-Golgi cell region by phosphodiesterase 4D interacting protein (PDE4DIP). PDE4D is a member of a family of phosphohydrolyases. These enzymes are involved in signal transduction and hydrolyze 3' cyclic phosphate bonds in 3’, 5’cGMP and 3’,5’-cAMP to energyze several reactions in the cell. The latter are termed second messengers and their rates of degradation are regulated. Eleven subtypes of PDEs comprise reactions related to memory and learning as well as other processes including immune cell activation, hormonesecretion, smooth vascular muscle action, platelet aggregation, and cardiac contractility [1].