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Updated: May 27, 2026

Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay
Published on: May 3, 2018
CDK5 interacts with Slo and affects its surface expression and kinetics through direct phosphorylation.
Jun-Ping Bai1, Alexei Surguchev, Powrnima Joshi
1Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) interacts with the Slo α-subunit of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels. CDK5 regulates BK channel surface expression and kinetics in hair cells, impacting electrical tuning.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels, composed of Slo α-subunits and accessory subunits, are crucial for electrical tuning in auditory hair cells.
- BK channel kinetics and expression vary along the tonotopic axis, but their molecular regulation in hair cells remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel interacting partners of the Slo α-subunit involved in BK channel regulation in hair cells.
- To investigate the role of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) in regulating BK channel function and expression.
Main Methods:
- Co-immunoprecipitation to identify CDK5 as a Slo-interacting partner.
- Immunohistochemistry to determine CDK5 localization in hair cells.
- Electrophysiology and Western blotting in human embryonic kidney cells to assess the effect of CDK5 on Slo channel activity and surface expression.
Main Results:
- CDK5 was identified as a novel interacting partner of the Slo α-subunit.
- CDK5 is expressed in hair cells, particularly in the cuticular plate and circumferential zone.
- CDK5 directly phosphorylates Slo at T847, inhibiting surface expression and altering voltage activation/deactivation kinetics.
Conclusions:
- CDK5 directly regulates the surface expression and gating kinetics of BK channels via phosphorylation of the Slo α-subunit.
- The tonotopic expression pattern of CDK5 suggests its critical role in electrical tuning and frequency discrimination in hair cells.
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