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Cdk5 in Dendrite and Synapse Development: Emerging Role as a Modulator of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling

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Cyclin Dependent Kinase 5 (Cdk5)

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Abstract

Proper functioning of the nervous system relies on the precise wiring of neuronal connections. Regulation of neuronal architecture and synapse formation is critical in shaping the neural circuitry. Recently, accumulating evidence indicates that cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), a kinase implicated in the control of neuronal migration and survival, regulates multiple aspects of dendrite development and synaptic function. Here we summarize the existing findings on the mechanisms by which Cdk5 regulates dendrite, spine, and synapse development.

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Acknowledgments

We apologize to the many researchers whose works were not cited due to limited space. We would like to thank Ka-Chun Lok for his excellent help on preparing the figures. The studies by N.Y. Ip were supported in part by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (HKUST3/03C, 6130/03 M, 6119/04 M, 6421/05 M, 6444/06 M and 6431/06 M), the Area of Excellence Scheme of the University Grants Committee (AoE/B-15/01), and Hong Kong Jockey Club. N.Y. Ip and Z.H. Cheung are Croucher Foundation Senior Research Fellow and Croucher Foundation Fellow, respectively.

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  1. Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology Research Institute and Molecular Neuroscience Center, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China

    Nancy Y. Ip

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  1. Zelda H. Cheung
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  2. Nancy Y. Ip
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Correspondence to Nancy Y. Ip .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

    Nancy Y. Ip

  2. Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, 02139, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Li-Huei Tsai

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Cheung, Z.H., Ip, N.Y. (2008). Cdk5 in Dendrite and Synapse Development: Emerging Role as a Modulator of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling. In: Ip, N.Y., Tsai, LH. (eds) Cyclin Dependent Kinase 5 (Cdk5). Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-78887-6_5

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