Neuronal Cdc2-like kinase: from cell cycle to neuronal function

Neuronal Cdc2-like kinase, Nclk, is a heterodimer of cyclin-dependent protein kinase 5 (Cdk5) and a 25-kDa essential regulatory subunit that is derived from a 35-kDa brain- and neuron-specific protein. This protein is called neuronal Cdk5 activator, p25/35nck5a. Nclk is one of the best characterized Cdc2 family kinases whose primary function is not cell cycle related. It has been suggested that this protein kinase plays important roles in …