As cAMP activates protein kinase A leading to phosphorylation of plasmalemmal L-type calcium channels and therefore increasing calcium influx, which in turn triggers release of calcium from intracellular stores, we believe that long-term glucagon stimulation of cardiomyocytes may cause sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium leak, leading to the activation of hypertrophy and heart failure signalling pathways (9), (10). The gene discussed is GCG; the disease is heart failure.