Premium
The role of flavinoids in the inhibition of CDK5 in neuronal differentiation
Author(s) -
Columbus Devin,
Aguanno Ann
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a990-b
Subject(s) - cyclin dependent kinase 5 , microbiology and biotechnology , kinase , cellular differentiation , blot , biology , cell cycle , premovement neuronal activity , cell , chemistry , neuroscience , protein kinase a , biochemistry , cyclin dependent kinase 2 , gene
Cyclin‐dependent kinases make up a large group of proteins that aid in the regulation of cell cycle. A member of this protein family, CDK5 has been shown to contribute not to the progression of the cell cycle but to the differentiation of terminal neurons. Our lab has used the PC12 cell line to study the role of CDK5 in neuronal development. These cells exhibit morphological traits similar to those of neuronal cells when induced to differentiate by NGF or FGF. Previously we have devised a means to quantify these neuronal‐like traits. Recently our lab has acquired new digital photographic equipment which has allowed us to expand upon this technique. This equipment provides a more accurate way of performing quantifications allowing greater precision in our findings. Here we show the results of our modified technique. In addition we have generated profiles of the CDK5 protein and some of its substrates using SDS PAGE and western blotting techniques. Recently it has also been proposed that a group of phenolic compounds called Flavinoids may compete with the ATP binding site on CDK5, thereby inhibiting its activity. Previously we have experimented with CDK5 inhibitors to help elucidate its role in neuronal development. Here we show that exposure of PC12 cells to these compounds greatly alters their ability to differentiate in a neuronal like fashion. The potential of these plant compounds for regulating CDK5’s activity is explored.