Neuronal cyclin-dependent kinase 5 activity is critical for survival.
Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) null mice exhibit a unique phenotype characterized by perinatal mortality, disrupted cerebral cortical layering attributable to abnormal neuronal migration, lack of cerebellar foliation, and chromatolytic changes of neurons in the brainstem and the spinal cord. Because Cdk5 is expressed in both neurons and astrocytes, it has been unclear whether this phenotype is primarily attributable to defects in neurons or in astrocytes. Herein we report reconstitution of Cdk5 expression in neurons in Cdk5 null mice and its effect on the null phenotype. Unlike the Cdk5 null mice, the reconstituted Cdk5 null mice that express the Cdk5 transgene under the p35 promoter (TgKO mice) were viable and fertile. Because Cdk5 expression is mainly limited to neurons in these mice and rescues the defects in the nervous system of the Cdk5 null phenotype, it clearly demonstrates that Cdk5 activity is necessary for normal development and survival of p35-expressing neurons.
Tanaka
T
T
Functional Genomics Unit, Gene Targeting Facility, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Veeranna
Ohshima
T
T
Rajan
P
P
Amin
N D
ND
Cho
A
A
Sreenath
T
T
Pant
H C
HC
Brady
R O
RO
Kulkarni
A B
AB
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000235:genetics; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D051360:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D018390:Gene Targeting; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D019076:Transgenes
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C089495:neuronal Cdk5 activator (p25-p35); D051360:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5; C495906:Cdk5 protein, mouse; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases