Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK7, CDK9) (CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK7, CDK9)

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are a family of serine/threonine protein kinases that regulate the cell cycle, transcription, and co-transcriptional processes by forming complexes with cyclins. CDK1 drives cells into mitosis; CDK2 is essential for DNA replication; CDK4 (alongside CDK6) controls G1 phase progression; CDK7 is a component of the general transcription factor TFIIH, activating other CDKs and controlling Pol II transcription; CDK9 is part of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), ensuring transcriptional elongation by RNA polymerase II. Dysregulation of CDKs is strongly associated with cancer, as well as other proliferative and transcription-related diseases, making them important therapeutic targets.

Other names

Cell division cycle 2 homolog (CDC2)p34Cell division cycle 2-related protein kinaseCell division protein kinase 4MO15Cyclin-dependent kinase 7Positive transcription elongation factor b kinase (P-TEFb kinase)

Competitive inhibition of ATP binding site. Inhibition of kinase activity, leading to cell cycle arrest. Blockade of transcriptional CDKs, impairing RNA polymerase II function. Downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins via transcriptional inhibition.