Signal transduction in the neuronal death

Apoptotic cell death plays an important role during ischemic brain injury and traumatic spinal cord injury. We have examined how cyclin dependent kinase (CDK)-5 regulates neuronal apoptosis, neuronal survival and neuronal differentiation. The findings from our research show CDK-5 activated by p35 confers cell resistance to the apoptotic induction in neuroblastoma cells. The CDK-5 activation is also involves in the prevention of neuronal apoptosis in primary human neuronal culture. The protective action of CDK-5 activity is through the ERK pathway mediated up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression. Furthermore, the activation of CDK-5 by p35 also regulates neuronal differentiation in Paju neuroblastoma cells.

CDK-5 and neuronal death