Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) and neuronal cell death

Many neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or stroke have in common a definite loss of CNS neurons due to apoptotic or necrotic neuronal cell death. Previous studies suggested that proapoptotic stimuli may trigger an abortive a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cell and tissue research 2003-04, Vol.312 (1), p.1-8
Main Authors: Weishaupt, J H, Neusch, C, Bähr, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cell Cycle
Cell Death
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5
Cyclin-Dependent Kinases - genetics
Cyclin-Dependent Kinases - metabolism
Humans
Neurons - physiology
Signal Transduction - physiology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Many neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or stroke have in common a definite loss of CNS neurons due to apoptotic or necrotic neuronal cell death. Previous studies suggested that proapoptotic stimuli may trigger an abortive and, therefore, eventually fatal cell cycle reentry in postmitotic neurons. Neuroprotective effects of small molecule inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which are key regulators of cell cycle progression, support the cell cycle theory of neuronal apoptosis. However, growing evidence suggests that deregulated CDK5, which is not involved in cell cycle control, rather than cell cycle relevant members of the CDK family, promotes neuronal cell death. Here we summarize the current knowledge about the involvement of CDK5 in neuronal cell death and discuss possible up- or downstream partners of CDK5. Moreover, we discuss potential therapeutic options that might arise from the identification of CDK5 as an important upstream element of neuronal cell death cascades.
ISSN:0302-766X
1432-0878
DOI:10.1007/s00441-003-0703-7