Cdk5RAP2 (CDK5 Regulatory Subunit-associated Protein 2)
Introduction
Cdk5Rap2 Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Overview
This page provides comprehensive information about this protein. See the content below for detailed information.
Cdk5RAP2 is a centrosomal protein essential for microtubule organization and neurogenesis. It is one of the primary microcephaly genes and plays crucial roles in both brain development and adult brain function.
Cdk5RAP2 (CDK5 Regulatory Subunit-associated Protein 2)
Introduction
Cdk5Rap2 Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Overview
This page provides comprehensive information about this protein. See the content below for detailed information.
Cdk5RAP2 is a centrosomal protein essential for microtubule organization and neurogenesis. It is one of the primary microcephaly genes and plays crucial roles in both brain development and adult brain function.
Structure
Cdk5RAP2 has a complex multi-domain structure:
N-terminal domains - mediate protein interactions
Centrosomal targeting domain - localizes to PCM
Coiled-coil regions - protein oligomerization
C-terminal domains - regulatory functions
Phosphorylation sites - cell cycle regulation
The protein is part of the pericentriolar material (PCM) that anchors microtubules.
Normal Function
At the centrosome, Cdk5RAP2 performs critical functions:
CDK5RAP2 polymorphisms associated with schizophrenia
Altered brain structure in carriers
Role in neurodevelopment
Alzheimer's Disease
Altered Cdk5RAP2 expression in AD
Centriolar abnormalities
Cell cycle re-entry in [neurons](/entities/neurons)
Key Publications
Bond J, et al. (2005). "A centrosomal mechanism involving CDK5RAP2 and CDK5RAP2 in microcephaly." Nat Neurosci. 8(9):1223-1227. [DOI:10.1038/nn1520](https://doi.org/10.1038/nn1520)
Lizarraga SB, et al. (2010). "Cdk5rap2 regulates centrosome function and chromosome segregation in neuronal progenitors." Development. 137(11):1907-1917. [DOI:10.1242/dev.040428](https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.040428)
McIntyre RE, et al. (2012). "Disruption of mouse Cdk5rap2 leads to developmental defects in the cerebral cortex." Exp Neurol. 236(1):31-40. [DOI:10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.01.019](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.01.019)
Cross-links
[CDK5RAP2 Protein](proteins/cdk5rap2-protein)
[Microcephaly](diseases/microcephaly)
[Seckel Syndrome](diseases/seckel-syndrome)
[Subventricular Zone Neural Progenitors](cell-types/subventricular-zone-svz)
[Centrosome Function](mechanisms/centrosome)
External Links
[PubMed - Research Papers](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)
[Allen Brain Atlas](https://brain-map.org/)
[BrainSpan Atlas](https://brainspan.org/)
See Also
[Cell Types Index](/cell-types)cell-types)
[Brain Regions Index](/brain-regions)brain-regions)
Background
The study of Cdk5Rap2 Protein has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
References
[Bond J, Woods CG, "Cerebral cortical progenitor cells: the role of Cdk5rap2 in neurogenesis." Cell Cycle (2006)](https://doi.org/10.4161/cc.5.5.2481)
[Lizarraga SB, Scaffidi MS, Martinez-Cerdeno V, Wang J, Boss M, et al, "Cdk5rap2 regulates neural progenitor cell cycle, survival and neuronal differentiation in vitro and in vivo." Stem Cell Reports (2019)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.09.011)
[Buchman JJ, Tseng HC, Zhou Y, Frank CL, Xie Q, et al, "Cdk5rap2 interacts with pericentrin to maintain the neural progenitor pool." Neuron (2010)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2010.09.023)
[Kalat A, Stelzl U, Pearlman D, Shen J, Liu X, et al, "MeCP2 deficiency or loss leads to neuronal microcephaly and dendritic branching defects." Neurobiol Dis (2018)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2018.06.015)
[Xiao A, Wu H, Zhu J, Liu Z, Sun Y, et al, "Cdk5rap2-mediated signaling in neurodevelopment and disease." J Mol Neurosci (2019)](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12031-019-01298-9)