Biomaterial Database

Cdk5: a multifaceted kinase in neurodegenerative diseases. 2012

Zelda H Cheung, and Nancy Y Ip

Division of Life Science, Molecular Neuroscience Center and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.

Since the identification of cyclin-dependent kinase-5 (Cdk5) as a tau kinase and member of the Cdk family almost 20 years ago, deregulation of Cdk5 activity has been linked to an array of neurodegenerative diseases. As knowledge on the etiopathological mechanisms of these diseases evolved through the years, Cdk5 has also been implicated in additional cellular events that are affected under these pathological conditions. From the role of Cdk5 in the regulation of synaptic functions to its involvement in autophagy deregulation, significant insights have been obtained regarding the role of Cdk5 as a key regulator of neurodegeneration. Here, we summarize recent findings on the involvement of Cdk5 in the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying various neurodegenerative diseases.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002470	Cell Survival	The span of viability of a cell characterized by the capacity to perform certain functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, some form of responsiveness, and adaptability.	Cell Viability,Cell Viabilities,Survival, Cell,Viabilities, Cell,Viability, Cell
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001343	Autophagy	The segregation and degradation of various cytoplasmic constituents via engulfment by MULTIVESICULAR BODIES; VACUOLES; or AUTOPHAGOSOMES and their digestion by LYSOSOMES. It plays an important role in BIOLOGICAL METAMORPHOSIS and in the removal of bone by OSTEOCLASTS. Defective autophagy is associated with various diseases, including NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES and cancer.	Autophagocytosis,ER-Phagy,Lipophagy,Nucleophagy,Reticulophagy,Ribophagy,Autophagy, Cellular,Cellular Autophagy,ER Phagy
D015398	Signal Transduction	The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway.	Cell Signaling,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Pathways,Receptor Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Transduction Pathways,Signal Transduction Systems,Pathway, Signal,Pathway, Signal Transduction,Pathways, Signal,Pathways, Signal Transduction,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transductions,Signal Pathway,Signal Transduction Pathway,Signal Transduction System,Signal Transduction, Receptor-Mediated,Signal Transductions,Signal Transductions, Receptor-Mediated,System, Signal Transduction,Systems, Signal Transduction,Transduction, Signal,Transductions, Signal
D051360	Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5	A serine-threonine kinase that plays important roles in CELL DIFFERENTIATION; CELL MIGRATION; and CELL DEATH of NERVE CELLS. It is closely related to other CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASES but does not seem to participate in CELL CYCLE regulation.	Cdk5 Protein Kinase,Cdc2-Related Kinase PSSALRE,Cdk5 Protein,Neuronal Cdc2-Like Protein Kinase,PSSALRE Protein,Cdc2 Related Kinase PSSALRE,Cyclin Dependent Kinase 5,Neuronal Cdc2 Like Protein Kinase,PSSALRE, Cdc2-Related Kinase,Protein Kinase, Cdk5
D019636	Neurodegenerative Diseases	Hereditary and sporadic conditions which are characterized by progressive nervous system dysfunction. These disorders are often associated with atrophy of the affected central or peripheral nervous system structures.	Degenerative Diseases, Nervous System,Degenerative Diseases, Central Nervous System,Degenerative Diseases, Neurologic,Degenerative Diseases, Spinal Cord,Degenerative Neurologic Diseases,Degenerative Neurologic Disorders,Nervous System Degenerative Diseases,Neurodegenerative Disorders,Neurologic Degenerative Conditions,Neurologic Degenerative Diseases,Neurologic Diseases, Degenerative,Degenerative Condition, Neurologic,Degenerative Conditions, Neurologic,Degenerative Neurologic Disease,Degenerative Neurologic Disorder,Neurodegenerative Disease,Neurodegenerative Disorder,Neurologic Degenerative Condition,Neurologic Degenerative Disease,Neurologic Disease, Degenerative,Neurologic Disorder, Degenerative,Neurologic Disorders, Degenerative