Selective inhibition of proteins regulating CDK/cyclin complexes: strategy against cancer—a review

Abstract

Cancer prevention is a global priority, but history indicates that the journey towards achieving the goal is difficult. Various cyclin dependent kinase complexes (CDKs/cyclins) operate as major cell signaling components in all stages of cell cycle. CDK/cyclin protein complexes, regulating the cell cycle, are conserved during evolution. In cancer cells, cell division is uncontrolled and CDKs/cyclins become ‘check-points’ or targets. Keeping this in view the proteins cyclin C, cyclin D2, CDKN1C, and Growth Arrest and DNA Damage (GADD45α) which play a major role in regulating CDK/cyclin complexes and operate in the initial stages of cell cycle (G₀ phase–S phase), have been identified as promising targets. Targeting critical regulators of cell-cycle signaling components by applying modern computational techniques is projected to be a potential tool for future cancer research.

Keywords::

• Cell-cycle (G₀–S phase)
• signaling components
• cyclin dependent kinase complexes (CDKs/cyclins)
• targeted therapy

Acknowledgements

The authors SRP, DR, BK and VM thank the facilities provided by The Department of Chemistry, Nizam College. SRP is thankful to The Department of Science and Technology (DST) WOS scheme for the financial support. (Registration Number: SR/WOS-A/CS-56/2008).

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.