| First Author | Futatsugi A | Year | 2012 |
| Journal | Cell Cycle | Volume | 11 |
| Issue | 8 | Pages | 1603-10 |
| PubMed ID | 22456337 | Mgi Jnum | J:317995 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6858221 | Doi | 10.4161/cc.20009 |
| Citation | Futatsugi A, et al. (2012) Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulates E2F transcription factor through phosphorylation of Rb protein in neurons. Cell Cycle 11(8):1603-10 |
| abstractText | Recent studies have shown the involvement of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) in cell cycle regulation in postmitotic neurons. In this study, we demonstrate that Cdk5 and its co-activator p35 were detected in the nuclear fraction in neurons and Cdk5/p35 phosphorylated retinoblastoma (Rb) protein, a key protein controlling cell cycle re-entry. Cdk5/p35 phosphorylates Rb at the sites similar to those phosphorylated by Cdk4 and Cdk2. Furthermore, increased Cdk5 activity elevates activity of E2F transcription factor, which can trigger cell cycle re-entry, leading to neuronal cell death. A normal Cdk5 activity in neurons did not induce E2F activation, suggesting that Cdk5 does not induce cell cycle re-entry under normal conditions. Taken together, these results indicate that Cdk5 can regulate cell cycle by its ability to phosphorylate Rb. Most importantly, increased Cdk5 activity induces cell cycle re-entry, which is especially detrimental for survival of postmitotic neurons. |
