CDKs: taking on a role as mediators of dopaminergic loss in Parkinsonʹs disease

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are best characterized for their ability to control cell-cycle progression. However, CDK family members are now known to regulate biological processes outside of the cell cycle, including transcription and neuronal development. Multiple CDKs (both cell cycle and non-cell-cycle related) have been associated with neurological conditions, such as Alzheimerʹs disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinsonʹs disease (PD). This review will explore the emerging evidence supporting a role for CDKs in neuronal death, focusing on mechanisms involved in the dopaminergic neurodegeneration of PD. An improved understanding of CDK involvement in cell death signaling could facilitate the development of innovative strategies to halt or slow down the characteristic death processes that are associated with some neurodegenerative conditions.