Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B (CDKN2B)

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B (CDKN2B, also known as p15INK4B) is a protein-coding gene that encodes a potent inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6)[1][2][3][7]. It functions as a tumor suppressor, regulating cell cycle G1 progression by binding to CDK4/6 and preventing their activation, thereby controlling cellular proliferation and growth. CDKN2B expression is strongly induced by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), mediating TGF-beta-stimulated growth inhibition. Loss or deletion of CDKN2B is associated with increased risk for multiple tumor types, highlighting its importance in cancer biology and cell cycle regulation[1][2][7].

Other names

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 inhibitor BMTS2p15INK4BP15INK4BTP15p15-INK4bCDK4IMultiple tumor suppressor 2p14-INK4bp15 CDK inhibitorCDK inhibitory proteinCDK4B inhibitorp14_CDK inhibitorp14_INK4B

Drugs that regulate CDKN2B typically increase its expression or mimic its inhibitory effect on CDK4 and CDK6, leading to cell cycle arrest in G1 phase. CDK4/6 inhibitors block CDK4/6 directly, functionally recapitulating CDKN2B activity.