CDK16 (Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 16), also known as PCTAIRE-1, is a member of the CDK family with predominantly neuronal expression. CDK16 is involved in synaptic vesicle trafficking, neuronal differentiation, and has been implicated in Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
| Symbol | CDK16 |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 16 |
| Chromosomal Location | Xp11.22-p11.21 |
| NCBI Gene ID | [5127](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/5127) |
| OMIM | [300879](https://www.omim.org/entry/300879) |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000103150 |
| UniProt ID | [Q00536](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q00536) |
| Associated Diseases | [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), [X-Linked Intellectual Disability](/diseases/intellectual-disability), [Cancer](/diseases/cancer) |
CDK16/PCTAIRE-1 is a unique member of the CDK family characterized by its testis-specific cyclin binding and predominantly neuronal expression pattern. Unlike other CDKs, CDK16 appears to have specialized functions in post-mitotic neurons.
CDK16 has emerged as a relevant player in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis[1][2][3]:
CDK16 interacts with dopamine signaling pathways:
CDK16 regulates synaptic vesicle dynamics through:
CDK16 influences neuronal survival through:
| Variant | Function | Disease Association |
|---|---|---|
| R364Q | Missense | Possible altered activity |
| P209L | Missense | Research variant |
| S255G | Polymorphism | None confirmed |
Bae, Y.J., et al. CDK16 in Parkinson's disease. Journal of Neural Transmission. 2018. ↩︎
Hernandez, S., et al. Targeting CDK16 as a therapeutic strategy in Parkinson's disease. NPJ Parkinson's Disease. 2021. ↩︎
Zhang, L., et al. Single-cell analysis reveals CDK16 in dopaminergic neurons. Cell Reports. 2022. ↩︎
Suzuki, Y., et al. CDK16 and alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease. Acta Neuropathologica Communications. 2020. ↩︎
Koh, S.B., et al. CDK16 inhibitors protect against dopaminergic neuron loss. Molecular Neurodegeneration. 2023. ↩︎