Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Assessment of Dendritic Arborization in the Dentate Gyrus of the Hippocampal Region in Mice
10:55

Assessment of Dendritic Arborization in the Dentate Gyrus of the Hippocampal Region in Mice

Published on: March 31, 2015

Cdk5 is involved in BDNF-stimulated dendritic growth in hippocampal neurons

Zelda H Cheung1, Wing Hong Chin, Yu Chen

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology Research Institute and Molecular Neuroscience Center, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.

Plos Biology
|March 8, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) phosphorylates the TrkB receptor, a key player in neuronal development. This interaction is crucial for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-induced dendritic growth.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Neurotrophins regulate neuronal survival and differentiation.
  • Trk receptors (receptor tyrosine kinases) mediate neurotrophin functions.
  • Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) may modulate receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate if Cdk5 modulates Trk signaling.
  • Identify TrkB as a Cdk5 substrate.
  • Elucidate Cdk5's role in neurotrophin-mediated neuronal growth.

Main Methods:

  • Biochemical assays to identify Cdk5 substrate.
  • Site-directed mutagenesis of TrkB.
  • Primary hippocampal neuron culture.
  • Analysis of dendritic growth and Cdc42 activation.

Main Results:

  • TrkB identified as a Cdk5 substrate, phosphorylated at Ser478.
  • Cdk5 inhibition or TrkB S478A mutation abolished BDNF-induced dendritic growth.
  • Cdk5 is involved in BDNF-induced activation of Rho GTPase Cdc42.

Conclusions:

  • Cdk5 directly phosphorylates TrkB at Ser478.
  • Cdk5 plays a critical role in BDNF-mediated dendritic growth.
  • Cdk5 modulates BDNF signaling via Cdc42 activation, impacting neuronal architecture.

More Related Videos

Ex Utero Electroporation and Organotypic Slice Culture of Mouse Hippocampal Tissue09:17

Ex Utero Electroporation and Organotypic Slice Culture of Mouse Hippocampal Tissue

Published on: March 4, 2015

Methods for the Modulation and Analysis of NF-κB-dependent Adult Neurogenesis14:58

Methods for the Modulation and Analysis of NF-κB-dependent Adult Neurogenesis

Published on: February 13, 2014

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.
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...
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...