Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 activator 1 (CDK5R1)

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 activator 1 (CDK5R1, also known as p35) is a neuron-specific regulatory subunit essential for the activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), a serine/threonine kinase critical for central nervous system development and function[1][3]. The p35 protein is cleaved by calpain to generate p25, a form that results in deregulated CDK5 activity and is implicated in neurodegenerative pathology; in particular, accumulation of p25 correlates with increased CDK5 activity and the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein observed in Alzheimer’s disease[1]. CDK5R1 is thus a key modulator of neuronal migration, synaptic plasticity, and has a central role in several brain diseases, mainly neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental disorders[1][3].

Other names

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulatory subunit 1CDK5 activator 1p35p25p23p35nck5aNCK5ACDK5Rtau protein kinase II 23 kDa subunitTPKII regulatory subunitneuronal CDK5 activatorregulatory partner for CDK5 kinase

For drugs targeting this pathway (e.g. CDK5 inhibitors): inhibition of CDK5 kinase activity by blocking either the kinase itself or interfering with its interaction with activators like p35/p25[3][1].