CDKAL1 (Cdk5 regulatory associated protein 1-like 1) is a gene in the methylthiotransferase family. The complete physiological function and implications of this have not been fully determined. CDKAL1 is known to code for CDK5, a regulatory subunit-associated protein 1.[5] This protein CDK5 regulatory subunit-associated protein 1 is found broadly across tissue types including neuronal tissues and pancreatic beta cells.[6] CDKAL1 is suspected to be involved in the CDK5/p35 pathway, in which p35 is the activator for CDK5 which regulates several neuronal functions.[7]
Structurally CDKAL1 contains two iron (Fe) sulfur (S) clusters, therefore its function can be reduced by inhibiting Fe-S cluster biosynthesis.[8] Enzymatically, CDKAL1 catalyzes methylthiolation of N6-threonylcarbamoyl adenosine 37 (t6A37) in cytosolic tRNA, which has been determined to stabilize anticodon-codon interactions during translation.[9][10]
In humans, CDKAL1 is indicated to be involved in type II diabetes. Mutations in CDKAL1 and TCF7L2 have been associated with low production of insulin.[11] Some studies indicate that CDKAL1 variants modify tRNA resulting in increased risks of type II diabetes as well as obesity.[12] Variation in CDKAL1 was also attributed to differences in energy regulation. Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis resulted in the discovery of the mechanism of glucose and insulin responses demonstrated in the figure. From this relationship, it has been hypothesized that the regulatory genes CDKAL1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) are related to environmental selectivity and adaptive immunity.[13]
Schematic of CDKAL1 involvement with insulin and glucose regulation.[13]
In mice, CDKAL1 impairment reduces the mouse's ability to maintain glucose homeostasis and causes pancreatic islet hypertrophy, or pancreatic lesions.[15]
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Cauchi S, Proença C, Choquet H, Gaget S, De Graeve F, Marre M, et al. (March 2008). "Analysis of novel risk loci for type 2 diabetes in a general French population: the D.E.S.I.R. study". Journal of Molecular Medicine. 86 (3): 341–8. doi:10.1007/s00109-007-0295-x. PMID18210030. S2CID21785287.
