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Understanding the Multifaceted Role of Human Down Syndrome Kinase DYRK1A

L J Kay1, T K Smulders-Srinivasan1, M Soundararajan1

  • 1Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.

Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology
|August 29, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Dual-specificity tyrosine (Y)-phosphorylation-regulated kinase DYRK1A, linked to Down syndrome (DS), has emerging roles beyond neuronal function. Recent studies reveal its involvement in immunity, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics

Background:

  • DYRK1A (dual-specificity tyrosine (Y)-phosphorylation-regulated kinase) is a signaling kinase linked to Down syndrome (DS) due to trisomy 21.
  • Initial research focused on its role in neuronal development, stemming from studies of its Drosophila homolog, minibrain (mnb).
  • Recent investigations highlight DYRK1A's broader involvement in various cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the established neuronal functions of DYRK1A.
  • To detail the emerging non-neuronal functions of DYRK1A.
  • To summarize DYRK1A's role in Tau and alpha-synuclein regulation and its connection to Parkinson's disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific reports on DYRK1A and its homolog, minibrain.
  • Synthesis of findings on both neuronal and non-neuronal functions.
  • Focus on recent decade investigations into DYRK1A's regulatory roles.

Main Results:

  • DYRK1A is implicated in a wide array of cellular processes, including infection, immunity, cardiomyocyte biology, cancer, and cell cycle control.
  • DYRK1A plays a regulatory role in controlling Tau and alpha-synuclein.
  • Emerging evidence suggests a role for DYRK1A in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • DYRK1A's functions extend significantly beyond its initially recognized neuronal roles.
  • DYRK1A is a key regulator in processes relevant to both development and disease.
  • Further research into DYRK1A's non-neuronal functions may offer new therapeutic avenues for various conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases.
Keywords:
CardiomyocyteDYRK1ADown syndromeHAART therapyMyeloproliferative disordersNeurodegenerative disordersParkinson's diseaseTauopathiesα-Synuclein

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