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The roles of cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 in dendrite and synapse development
Author(s) -
Cheung Zelda H.,
Ip Nancy Y.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.144
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1860-7314
pISSN - 1860-6768
DOI - 10.1002/biot.200700056
Subject(s) - cyclin dependent kinase 5 , microbiology and biotechnology , synapse , biology , dendritic spine , dendrite (mathematics) , regulator , neuroscience , neurite , kinase , protein kinase a , cyclin dependent kinase 2 , biochemistry , geometry , mathematics , hippocampal formation , gene , in vitro
Abstract Since the isolation of cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), this proline‐directed serine/threonine kinase has been demonstrated as an important regulator of neuronal migration, neuronal survival and synaptic functions. Recently, a number of players implicated in dendrite and synapse development have been identified as Cdk5 substrates. Neurite extension, synapse and spine maturation are all modulated by a myriad of extracellular guidance cues or trophic factors. Cdk5 was recently demonstrated to regulate signaling downstream of some of these extracellular factors, in addition to modulating Rho GTPase activity, which regulates cytoskeletal dynamics. In this communication, we summarize our existing knowledge on the pathways and mechanisms through which Cdk5 affects dendrite, synapse and spine development.