CDK1 Protein

CDK1 Protein

<table class="infobox infobox-protein">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">CDK1 Protein</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Name</td>
<td>Cell division cycle protein 2 homolog</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene Symbol</td>
<td>CDK1 (CDC2)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosomal Location</td>
<td>10q21.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene ID</td>
<td>983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt ID</td>
<td>P06493</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Family</td>
<td>CDK family (CMGC group)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Molecular Weight</td>
<td>~34 kDa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Length</td>
<td>297 amino acids</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Region</td>
<td>Position</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">PSTALRE</td>
<td>44-55</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">T-Loop</td>
<td>149-172</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">ATP Binding</td>
<td>12-14, 80-84, 127-132</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Substrate Binding</td>
<td>200-280</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Compound</td>
<td>Specificity</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">RO-3306</td>
<td>CDK1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Purvalanol A</td>
<td>CDK1/2/5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">AZD-5438</td>
<td>CDK1/2/9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Flavopiridol</td>
<td>Pan-CDK</td>
</tr>
<tr>

...

CDK1 Protein

<table class="infobox infobox-protein">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">CDK1 Protein</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Name</td>
<td>Cell division cycle protein 2 homolog</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene Symbol</td>
<td>CDK1 (CDC2)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosomal Location</td>
<td>10q21.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene ID</td>
<td>983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt ID</td>
<td>P06493</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Family</td>
<td>CDK family (CMGC group)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Molecular Weight</td>
<td>~34 kDa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Length</td>
<td>297 amino acids</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Region</td>
<td>Position</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">PSTALRE</td>
<td>44-55</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">T-Loop</td>
<td>149-172</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">ATP Binding</td>
<td>12-14, 80-84, 127-132</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Substrate Binding</td>
<td>200-280</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Compound</td>
<td>Specificity</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">RO-3306</td>
<td>CDK1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Purvalanol A</td>
<td>CDK1/2/5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">AZD-5438</td>
<td>CDK1/2/9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Flavopiridol</td>
<td>Pan-CDK</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">ALS</a>, <a href="/wiki/aging" style="color:#ef9a9a">Aging</a>, <a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">Als</a>, <a href="/wiki/alzheimer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Alzheimer</a>, <a href="/wiki/autoimmune" style="color:#ef9a9a">Autoimmune</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">242 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>

Introduction

Cdk1 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

CDK1 (Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 1), also known as CDC2, is the catalytic subunit of the Maturation-Promoting Factor (MPF) and plays essential roles in cell cycle regulation. As the only CDK essential for completion of mitosis, CDK1 is crucial for cellular division. In post-mitotic neurons, CDK1 has gained attention for its roles in neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, and increasingly, in neurodegenerative diseases. This page covers the CDK1 protein structure, function, and its involvement in neurodegeneration. [@yang2013]

Protein Information

Protein Structure

CDK1 is a serine/threonine kinase with a classic kinase fold:

Domain Architecture

Activation Mechanism

CDK1 activation requires:

Cyclin Binding: Association with cyclin B (or A in early cell cycle)

Thr161 Phosphorylation: By CAK (CDK-activating kinase)

Wee1/Myt1 Inhibition: Removal of inhibitory phosphates (Thr14, Tyr15)

Biological Functions

Cell Cycle Control

• G2/M Transition: Master regulator of mitotic entry
• Mitosis: Controls chromosome condensation, spindle assembly, cytokinesis
• G1/S Transition: Works with cyclin E/A
• DNA Replication: Regulates replication origin firing

Non-Cell Cycle Functions

Neuronal Roles

• Synaptic Plasticity: Phosphorylates synaptic proteins
• Cytoskeletal Dynamics: Regulates microtubule function
• Gene Expression: Controls transcription factors
• DNA Repair: Modulates repair protein function

Other Tissues

• Oocyte Maturation: Essential for meiosis
• Placental Function: Required for trophoblast division

Expression Pattern

Tissue Distribution

• Brain: Moderate expression, highest in developing brain
• Testis: High expression (meiotic cells)
• Hematopoietic: Variable expression
• Most tissues: Low baseline, cell cycle-dependent

Neuronal Expression

• Developmental: High during neurogenesis
• Adult Brain: Low but detectable
• [Astrocytes](/entities/astrocytes): Cell cycle re-entry in reactive astrocytes

Role in Neurodegeneration

Alzheimer's Disease

CDK1 involvement in AD:

• Cell Cycle Re-entry: [Neurons](/entities/neurons) attempt to re-enter cell cycle, leading to death
• [Tau](/proteins/tau) Phosphorylation: CDK1 phosphorylates [tau](/proteins/tau) at mitotic sites
• Amyloid Toxicity: [Aβ](/proteins/amyloid-beta) induces aberrant CDK1 activation
• DNA Damage: CDK1 responses to DNA damage in neurons

Parkinson's Disease

• Cell Death Pathways: CDK1 in dopaminergic neuron death
• [α-Synuclein](/proteins/alpha-synuclein) Phosphorylation: Possible phosphorylation at Ser129
• Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Links to cell cycle reactivation

ALS

• Motor Neuron Death: Aberrant cell cycle activation
• Glial Proliferation: Reactive gliosis involves CDK1
• [TDP-43](/proteins/tdp-43) Pathology: Links to cell cycle dysregulation

Stroke and Brain Injury

• Ischemic Damage: CDK1 activation in neuronal death
• Therapeutic Target: CDK inhibitors neuroprotective in stroke models

Therapeutic Targeting

CDK1 Inhibitors

Therapeutic Strategies

Inhibition: CDK1 blockers for neuroprotection

Timing: Critical window for intervention

Selectivity: Avoiding cell cycle inhibition in dividing cells

Challenges

• Cytotoxicity in proliferating cells
• [Blood-brain barrier](/entities/blood-brain-barrier) penetration
• Timing of intervention

Research Directions

• Understanding neuron-specific CDK1 functions
• Developing brain-penetrant CDK inhibitors
• Biomarkers for CDK1 activation
• Combination neuroprotective strategies

Background

The study of Cdk1 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.

Brain Atlas Resources

• [Allen Human Brain Atlas - Gene Expression](https://human.brain-map.org/microarray/search/show?search_term=CDK1)
• [BrainSpan Atlas of the Developing Human Brain](https://brainspan.org/)

See Also

• CDK1 Gene - CDK1 gene
• Cell Cycle Dysregulation - Cell cycle in neurodegeneration
• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/a- [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease) in AD
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease) CDK1 in PD
• Tau Pathology Pathway - Tau phosphorylation

External Links

• [NCBI Gene: CDK1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/983)
• [UniProt: P06493](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P06493)
• [GeneCards: CDK1](https://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=CDK1)
• [PhosphoSitePlus: CDK1](https://www.phosphosite.org/proteinAction.action?id=1926)

References

[Malumbres M, et al, (2009) (2009)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19238148/)

[Yang Y, et al, (2013) (2013)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23442796/)

[Liu SL, et al, (2016) (2016)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26780680/)

[Huang J, et al, (2019) (2019)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31368420/)

[Zhang J, et al, (2021) (2021)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33882345/)