A Houston Methodist researcher has unveiled a novel function of the cyclin-dependent kinase protein CDK19, a potential target for the prevention and treatment of Parkinson's and other disorders of the nervous system.   In a new study highlighting CDK19's surprising role in mitochondrial dynamics, Hyunglok Chung, Ph.D., and colleagues found the gene located in the cytoplasm of brain and muscle cells, suggesting it plays a key part in neurologic health.   "Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of several human diseases, so finding a new gene that influences it is very exciting," said Dr. Chung, an assistant professor of genetics in the Department of Neurology at the Houston Methodist Research Institute and a first author on the paper. "This is very much a hot topic in neurodegenerative disease research because we're learning more and more how disruptions to the normal processing of cellular energy production in mitochondria can lead to the development of disease."   The research was published in April in Nature Communications.   Traditionally known for its involvement in transcription regulation, recent research has uncovered a novel role for CDK19 in the regulation of mitochondrial fission. This process is crucial for maintaining cellular health, as it ensures the proper distribution and function of mitochondria within cells.  Parkinson's connectionsMitochondrial fission is particularly significant in neurons due to their high energy demands and complex architecture. Dysregulation of this process has been implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease. The research team identified a significant connection between the cyclin