CDK9 as an Appealing Target for Therapeutic Interventions

Curr Drug Targets. 2019;20(4):453-464. doi: 10.2174/1389450119666181026152221.

Abstract

Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 (CDK9) as a serine/threonine kinase belongs to a great number of CDKs. CDK9 is the main core of PTEF-b complex and phosphorylates RNA polymerase (RNAP) II besides other transcription factors which regulate gene transcription elongation in numerous physiological processes. Multi-functional nature of CDK9 in diverse cellular pathways proposes that it is as an appealing target. In this review, we summarized the recent findings on the molecular interaction of CDK9 with critical participant molecules to modulate their activity in various diseases. Furthermore, the presented review provides a rationale supporting the use of CDK9 as a therapeutic target in clinical developments for crucial diseases; particularly cancers will be reviewed.

Keywords: CDK9; RNAP; cancer; cardiac pathway; fibrosis; inflammation; viral agents..

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9 / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • CDK9 protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9
  • RNA Polymerase II