Cdk5: mediator of neuronal development, death and the response to DNA damage

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Jinqiu Zhu, Emory University; Wenming Li, Emory University; Zixu Mao, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2011-08
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2011.04.011
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
• ISSN: 0047-6374
• Volume: 132
• Issue: 8-9
• Start Page: 389
• End Page: 394
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported in part by NIH grants to Z.M. (AG023695, NS048254, ES015317, ES016731-0002) and Michael J. Fox Foundation (Z.M.).
• Keywords: Central nervous system; DNA damage; Neurodegenerative disease; Cell death; Cdk5
• Research Categories: Biology, Neuroscience; Health Sciences, Pharmacology; Gerontology

Abstract

In the central nervous system, cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), an unusual member of the Cdk family, is implicated in the regulation of various physiological processes ranging from neuronal survival, migration and differentiation, to synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission. Dysregulation of this kinase has been demonstrated to play a critical role in the pathogenic process of neurodegenerative disorders. DNA damage is emerging as an important pathological component in various neurodegenerative conditions. In this review, we discuss the recent progress regarding the regulation and roles of Cdk5 under physiological conditions, and its dysregultion under pathological conditions, especially in neuronal death mediated by DNA damage.