Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) regulates synaptic plasticity through liquid-liquid phase separation, a mechanism where proteins spontaneously organize into membrane-less droplets at neural connections. This molecular condensation process allows CDKL5 to concentrate signaling molecules and coordinate synaptic strengthening in excitatory neurons. The discovery illuminates why CDKL5 mutations cause such severe neurodevelopmental symptoms including early epilepsy and intellectual disability. Phase separation has emerged as a fundamental organizing principle in cell biology, particularly relevant to neurological function where rapid, localized protein assembly is essential for learning and memory. This finding positions CDKL5 deficiency disorder within the growing framework of 'phase separation diseases' - conditions where disrupted protein condensation leads to cellular dysfunction. The mechanism suggests potential therapeutic approaches targeting phase separation dynamics rather than traditional enzyme inhibition. For brain health optimization, this research underscores the importance of maintaining proteins that orchestrate synaptic organization. While directly modulating CDKL5 phase behavior remains experimentally complex, the work reinforces how foundational cellular processes like protein organization directly impact cognitive function and neuroplasticity throughout life.
Brain Protein CDKL5 Controls Neural Connections Through Phase Separation
📄 Based on research published in PNAS
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