Understanding CDK4: Potential Drug Target or Biomarker (G1019)

Target Name: CDK4

NCBI ID: G1019

Understanding CDK4: Potential Drug Target or Biomarker

CDK4 (Chromatin-Driven Kinesin 4) is a protein that plays a critical role in the regulation of mitochondrial function and is a key player in the development and progression of various diseases, including cancer. Despite its importance, CDK4 has yet to be fully understood, and its potential as a drug target or biomarker remains largely unexplored.

CDK4 is a member of the kinesin family, which includes proteins that play a central role in the movement of chromosomes during cell division. In CDK4, kinesin-4B (K4B) is the protein that is primarily involved in the regulation of mitochondrial function. K4B consists of four subunits that are organized in a hierarchical structure, with each subunit composed of a catalytic domain and a variable region.

One of the unique features of CDK4 is its ability to interact with DNA. This interaction is mediated by the protein p16, which is located in the variable region of K4B. p16 is known to play a role in regulating the expression of other genes, and it is thought to act as a negative regulator for CDK4.

CDK4 has been shown to play a role in the regulation of various cellular processes, including cell growth, apoptosis (programmed cell death), and metabolism. It has also been implicated in the development and progression of various diseases, including cancer. For example, studies have shown that high levels of CDK4 are associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer, and that inhibition of CDK4 has been shown to be effective in treating this disease.

In addition to its potential as a drug target, CDK4 has also been shown to be a potential biomarker for certain diseases. For example, researchers have shown that levels of CDK4 are elevated in the blood samples of patients with colorectal cancer, and that these levels can be used as a biomarker for this disease. Similarly, researchers have shown that CDK4 levels are elevated in the urine samples of patients with urinary tract cancer, and that these levels can be used as a biomarker for this disease.

While the potential benefits of CDK4 as a drug target or biomarker are significant, there are also potential drawbacks to its use. One of the main concerns is the potential for CDK4 to promote the growth and survival of cancer cells. This is because CDK4 has been shown to play a role in the regulation of cell growth and apoptosis, and it is possible that inhibiting its activity could promote the growth and survival of cancer cells.

Another potential drawback to CDK4 is its ability to interact with the DNA-protein complex, which is responsible for regulating the expression of other genes. This means that inhibiting CDK4 could potentially disrupt the regulation of gene expression and have unintended consequences.

Despite these potential drawbacks, there is still much to be learned about CDK4 and its potential as a drug target or biomarker. Further research is needed to fully understand its role in the regulation of mitochondrial function and its potential as a therapeutic agent.

Protein Name: Cyclin Dependent Kinase 4

Functions: Ser/Thr-kinase component of cyclin D-CDK4 (DC) complexes that phosphorylate and inhibit members of the retinoblastoma (RB) protein family including RB1 and regulate the cell-cycle during G(1)/S transition. Phosphorylation of RB1 allows dissociation of the transcription factor E2F from the RB/E2F complexes and the subsequent transcription of E2F target genes which are responsible for the progression through the G(1) phase. Hypophosphorylates RB1 in early G(1) phase. Cyclin D-CDK4 complexes are major integrators of various mitogenenic and antimitogenic signals. Also phosphorylates SMAD3 in a cell-cycle-dependent manner and represses its transcriptional activity. Component of the ternary complex, cyclin D/CDK4/CDKN1B, required for nuclear translocation and activity of the cyclin D-CDK4 complex

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