Description
(R)-CR8 is an analog of roscovitine that inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 1/2/3/5/7/9; it displays anticancer and neuroprotective activities. (R)-CR8 induces apoptosis and downregulates expression of Mcl-1 in neuroblastoma cells. In chromic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells, (R)-CR8 inhibits cell cycle progression. In animal models of spinal cord injury, this compound decreases neurodegeneration, cognitive decline, and microglial activation. CR8 also decreases sensorimotor deficits, cognitive deficits, and lesion volume by limiting cell cycle activation in animal models of traumatic brain injury.