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The name CMGC family of kinases corresponds to the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3) and CDC-like kinase (CLK) group of protein kinases. CMGC kinases display unique features such as the “CMGD arginine” which is located near the substrate phosphorylation site in the activation loop and the so-called “CMGC-insert region” in the C-terminal lobe serving as specific docking region. The kinases are involved in cell-cycle regulation and signaling, cell communication and cell growth.
Cdks are the catalytic subunits of serine/threonine protein kinases which are involved in the progression through the cell cycle.The catalytic activity of these kinases requires interaction with cyclins. These molecules are synthesized and degraded during the cell cycle in a cyclical fashion. Cdk-cyclin complexes are activated by phosphorylation in their activation loop by CAKs (Cdk activating kinase).
CK2 is an ubiquitous and highly conserved protein serine/threonine kinase that is typically found in tetrameric complexes consisting of two catalytic (alpha and/or alpha') subunits and two regulatory beta subunits. CK2 has a number of physiological targets and participates in a complex series of cellular functions including the maintenance of cell viability. It has long been considered to play a role in cell growth and proliferation and considerable evidence suggests that it can also exert potent suppression of apoptosis in cells. In normal cells, the level of CK2 appears to be tightly regulated, and cells resist a change in their intrinsic level of CK2. However, in all the cancers that have been examined an elevation of CK2 has been observed. Recent evidence suggests that CK2 can exert an anti-apoptotic role by protecting regulatory proteins from caspase-mediated degradation. Furthermore, the anti-apoptotic function of CK2 may contribute to its ability to participate in transformation and tumorigenesis.
Litchfield DW (2003) "Protein kinase CK2: structure, regulation and role in cellular decisions of life and death" Biochem J. 369(Pt 1):1-15
Unger GM, Davis AT, Slaton JW, Ahmed K (2004) "Protein kinase CK2 as regulator of cell survival: implications for cancer therapy" Curr. Cancer Drug Targets 4(1):77-84
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