Functional characterization of Cdkal1, a risk factor of type 2 diabetes, and the translational opportunities

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have shown that Cdk5 regulatory subunit-associated protein 1-like 1 (Cdkal1) is one of the most reproducible risk genes of type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this review, we overview not only the molecular functions of Cdkal1 but also the phenotypes observed in the knockout (KO) mice. We further discuss the translational approaches to treat T2D with risk variations in cdkal1.