Cdk5/p35, active

Background Information:

Cyclin-dependent Kinase 5 (cdk5) is a cyclin-dependent serine/threonine kinase that, while not involved in cell proliferation, plays a critical role in neuron development. The kinase is activated strongly when it complexes with neuron-specific activators, especially p35, but less strongly when it complexes with cyclins. In contrast, a constitutively active form of the complex results when cdk5 binds with p25 or p21 (truncated forms of p35). The cdk5/p35 complex has been implicated in neurite outgrowth, neuronal differentiation and neuronal migration and axon patterning. The complex phosphorylates the tau protein at Ser199, Ser202 and Thr205. Hyper-phosphorylated tau will cause neurofibrillary tangles and lead to Alzheimer's disease. Research has also shown the cdk5/p35 complex is associated with drug addiction and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Inhibitors may prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and other neurodegenerative diseases. GenBank X66364 / GenBank X80343

Target Class:

Kinase

Family:

CMGC

Sub Family:

Protein Ser/Thr

Protein Name:

CDK5

Protein Aliases:

Cell division protein kinase 5|Serine/threonine-protein kinase PSSALRE|Tau protein kinase II catalytic subunit|TPKII catalytic subunit

Accession Number:

NM_004935.2

UniProt Number:

Q00535

Gene Name:

CDK5

Gene ID:

1020

Gene Aliases:

PSSALRE

Target Species:

Human