Roles of dual specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 2 in nervous system development and disease

DYRK2 is a type of enzyme that can modify proteins by adding phosphate groups to them. This review focuses on the role of DYRK2 in the nervous system, where it influences how nerve cells develop and function. DYRK2 appears to be important for the growth and branching of nerve cell extensions, like axons and dendrites, by modifying structural components within the cell. It seems to have a role in the development of the olfactory and visual systems, the spinal cord, and possibly the cortex. DYRK2 has been implicated in several nervous system diseases, including neuroblastoma, glioma, epilepsy, neuroinflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, and virus infection. Its role in axon growth makes DYRK2 as a promising target for spinal cord or brain injury and regeneration.

• 1
  DYRK2 regulates neuronal morphogenesis (e.g., axon growth and branching) by phosphorylating cytoskeletal elements (e.g., doublecortin).
• 2
  DYRK2 also participates in processes such as olfaction, vision and, learning.
• 3
  DYRK2 upregulation usually has a negative impact in cancer-related conditions and a positive impact in non-malignant conditions.