Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Modeling Neuronal Death and Degeneration in Mouse Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons
10:36

Modeling Neuronal Death and Degeneration in Mouse Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons

Published on: November 6, 2017

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) and neuronal cell death

J H Weishaupt1, C Neusch, M Bähr

  • 1Department of Neurology, University Hospital Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.

Cell and Tissue Research
|April 10, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are implicated in neuronal cell death. Deregulated CDK5, not cell cycle CDKs, appears to drive neuron loss in neurological disorders, offering therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Neurological disorders like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS, and stroke involve central nervous system (CNS) neuron loss.
  • Neuronal cell death occurs via apoptosis or necrosis.
  • Previous research suggested cell cycle reentry contributes to neuronal apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) in neuronal cell death.
  • To investigate the specific involvement of CDK5 in neuronal apoptosis.
  • To explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting CDK5.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on CDKs and neuronal cell death.
  • Analysis of evidence supporting the cell cycle theory of neuronal apoptosis.
  • Examination of data implicating CDK5 in promoting neuronal death.

Main Results:

  • While CDK inhibitors show neuroprotection, evidence points to deregulated CDK5, not cell cycle CDKs, as a promoter of neuronal death.
  • CDK5 is implicated as a key upstream regulator in neuronal cell death cascades.
  • Identification of potential up- and downstream partners of CDK5.

Conclusions:

  • Deregulated CDK5 plays a critical role in neuronal cell death pathways.
  • Targeting CDK5 may offer novel therapeutic avenues for neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Further research into CDK5 partners could elucidate mechanisms and refine treatments.

More Related Videos

Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay12:26

Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay

Published on: May 3, 2018

Experimental Approaches to Study Mitochondrial Localization and Function of a Nuclear Cell Cycle Kinase, Cdk113:15

Experimental Approaches to Study Mitochondrial Localization and Function of a Nuclear Cell Cycle Kinase, Cdk1

Published on: February 25, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Positive Regulator Molecules02:39

Positive Regulator Molecules

Mitotic cell division results in daughter cells that exactly resemble the parent cell. However, errors in the DNA replication or distribution of genetic material may lead to genetic mutations that may be passed down to every new cell formed from the resulting abnormal cell. Propagation of such mutant cells is restricted through checkpoint mechanisms present at different stages of the cell cycle. These checkpoints involve regulator molecules that either promote or demote cell cycle events.
Positive Regulator Molecules01:45

Positive Regulator Molecules

To consistently produce healthy cells, the cell cycle—the process that generates daughter cells—must be precisely regulated.
M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis02:15

M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis

Checkpoints throughout the cell cycle serve as safeguards and gatekeepers, allowing the cell cycle to progress in favorable conditions and slow or halt it in problematic ones. This regulation is known as the cell cycle control system.
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
Anaphase Promoting Complex00:50

Anaphase Promoting Complex

The stepwise destruction of specific proteins is necessary for the progression and completion of the cell cycle. Such proteins are ubiquitinated by ubiquitin ligases and then subsequently destroyed by the proteasome. The SCF (Skp1/Cullin/F-box) and the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) are two important ubiquitin ligases involved in cell cycle progression. While SCF is active throughout the cell cycle, APC gets activated during metaphase to anaphase transition. Cdc20 or Cdh1 binds to APC and...
MAPK Signaling Cascades01:07

MAPK Signaling Cascades

Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...