Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is a serine/threonine cyclin-dependent kinase that is highly expressed in the central nervous system and controls many biological processes that impact learning and memory, as well as pain and drug addiction. Studies have indicated that abnormal Cdk5 activity may be associated with the onset of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The kinase activity of Cdk5 is turned on when it binds to one of the two proteins considered to be neuronal activators, p35 and p39.

Scientists at the NIH designed a cell-based assay to screen for p35 transcriptional regulators that work as upstream regulators of Cdk5. This technology may be useful for assessing the presence and risk of conditions associated with atypical Cdk5 kinase activity or for finding drug modulators that could be promising drug targets.