A phylogenetic analysis of the CDKL protein family unravels its evolutionary history and supports the <i>Drosophila</i> model of CDKL5 deficiency disorder.

ABSTRACT: The human CDK-like (CDKL) family of serine‒threonine kinases has five members (CDKL1-5), with a conserved N-terminal kinase domain and variable C-termini. Among these, CDKL5 is of particular interest because of its involvement in CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a rare epileptic encephalopathy with several comorbidities for which there are no specific treatments. Current CDD vertebrate models are seizure resistant, which could be explained by the genetic background, including leaky expression of other CDKLs. Thus, phylogenetic analysis of the protein family would be valuable for understanding current models and developing new ones. Our phylogenetic studies revealed that ancestral CDKLs were present in all major eukaryotic clades and had ciliary/flagellar functions, which may have diversifi

SUBMITTER: Martin-Carrascosa MDC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12075339 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature