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Cyclin-Dependent Kinases in Health and Diseases

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2019) | Viewed by 53123

Special Issue Editor

Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, CNRS, IBMM-UMR 5247, Université de Montpellier, 15 Av. Charles Flahault, 34093 Montpellier, France
Interests: protein kinases; cell cycle; cancer; fluorescent biosensors; allosteric inhibitors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK/Cyclins) were first discovered for their role in the coordination of cell growth and division almost 50 years ago thanks to the independent, yet converging, results of biochemists and yeast geneticists seeking to understand the molecular mechanisms and identify the molecular components governing cell cycle progression. Following a Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 2001 recognizing the importance of CDK/Cyclins and almost five decades of research, our understanding of this family of serine/threonine protein kinases has grown to provide insight into the diversity/multiplicity and complexity of functions in human physiology, as well as the pathological implications consequent to their deregulation. Together with these studies, characterization of the structural features and mechanisms of regulation of CDK/Cyclins have culminated into the development of drugs which have been approved by the FDA for cancer therapeutics over the last few years.

This Special Issue will cover and focus on the role of CDK/Cyclins in various pathologies in particular cancer and neurodegenerative diseases and on the emerging therapeutics to target these kinases.

Dr. May C. Morris
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Cyclin-dependent kinases
  • Cell cycle coordination
  • Physiology
  • Pathology
  • Therapeutics

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 4205 KiB  
Article
Cyclin–CDK Complexes are Key Controllers of Capacitation-Dependent Actin Dynamics in Mammalian Spermatozoa
by Nicola Bernabò, Marina Ramal-Sanchez, Luca Valbonetti, Juliana Machado-Simoes, Alessandra Ordinelli, Giulia Capacchietti, Angela Taraschi and Barbara Barboni
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(17), 4236; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20174236 - 29 Aug 2019
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2525
Abstract
Mammalian spermatozoa are infertile immediately after ejaculation and need to undergo a functional maturation process to acquire the competence to fertilize the female egg. During this process, called capacitation, the actin cytoskeleton dramatically changes its organization. First, actin fibers polymerize, forming a network [...] Read more.
Mammalian spermatozoa are infertile immediately after ejaculation and need to undergo a functional maturation process to acquire the competence to fertilize the female egg. During this process, called capacitation, the actin cytoskeleton dramatically changes its organization. First, actin fibers polymerize, forming a network over the anterior part of the sperm cells head, and then it rapidly depolymerizes and disappears during the exocytosis of the acrosome content (the acrosome reaction (AR)). Here, we developed a computational model representing the actin dynamics (AD) process on mature spermatozoa. In particular, we represented all the molecular events known to be involved in AD as a network of nodes linked by edges (the interactions). After the network enrichment, using an online resource (STRING), we carried out the statistical analysis on its topology, identifying the controllers of the system and validating them in an experiment of targeted versus random attack to the network. Interestingly, among them, we found that cyclin-dependent kinase (cyclin–CDK) complexes are acting as stronger controllers. This finding is of great interest since it suggests the key role that cyclin–CDK complexes could play in controlling AD during sperm capacitation, leading us to propose a new and interesting non-genomic role for these molecules. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyclin-Dependent Kinases in Health and Diseases)
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18 pages, 10689 KiB  
Article
Hair Growth Promoting Effect of 4HGF Encapsulated with PGA Nanoparticles (PGA-4HGF) by β-Catenin Activation and Its Related Cell Cycle Molecules
by Hye-Ji Lee, Ha-Kyoung Kwon, Hye Su Kim, Moon Il Kim and Hye-Jin Park
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(14), 3447; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20143447 - 13 Jul 2019
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6013
Abstract
Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA)-based nanoparticles draw remarkable attention as drug delivery agents due to their controlled release characteristics, low toxicity, and biocompatibility. 4HGF is an herbal mixture of Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice, Cordyceps militaris grown on germinated soybeans, Polygonum multiflorum, [...] Read more.
Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA)-based nanoparticles draw remarkable attention as drug delivery agents due to their controlled release characteristics, low toxicity, and biocompatibility. 4HGF is an herbal mixture of Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice, Cordyceps militaris grown on germinated soybeans, Polygonum multiflorum, Ficus carica, and Cocos nucifera oil. Here, we encapsulated 4HGF within PGA-based hydrogel nanoparticles, prepared by simple ionic gelation with chitosan, to facilitate its penetration into hair follicles (HFs). In this study, we report the hair promoting activity of 4HGF encapsulated with PGA nanoparticles (PGA-4HGF) and their mechanism, compared to 4HGF alone. The average size of spherical nanoparticles was ~400 nm in diameter. Continuous release of PGA-4HGF was observed in a simulated physiological condition. As expected, PGA-4HGF treatment increased hair length, induced earlier anagen initiation, and elongated the duration of the anagen phase in C57BL/6N mice, compared with free 4HGF treatment. PGA-4HGF significantly increased dermal papilla cell proliferation and induced cell cycle progression. PGA-4HGF also significantly increased the total amount of β-catenin protein expression, a stimulator of the anagen phase, through induction of cyclinD1 and CDK4 protein levels, compared to free 4HGF treatment. Our findings underscore the potential of PGA nanocapsules to efficiently deliver 4HGF into HFs, hence promoting hair-growth. Therefore, PGA-4HGF nanoparticles may be promising therapeutic agents for hair growth disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyclin-Dependent Kinases in Health and Diseases)
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16 pages, 7017 KiB  
Article
Citrate-Induced p85α–PTEN Complex Formation Causes G2/M Phase Arrest in Human Pharyngeal Squamous Carcinoma Cell Lines
by Kuang-Chen Hung, Shyang-Guang Wang, Meng-Liang Lin and Shih-Shun Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(9), 2105; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20092105 - 29 Apr 2019
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3000
Abstract
Citrate is a key intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and acts as an allosteric signal to regulate the production of cellular ATP. An elevated cytosolic citrate concentration inhibits growth in several types of human cancer cells; however, the underlying mechanism by which [...] Read more.
Citrate is a key intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and acts as an allosteric signal to regulate the production of cellular ATP. An elevated cytosolic citrate concentration inhibits growth in several types of human cancer cells; however, the underlying mechanism by which citrate induces the growth arrest of cancer cells remains unclear. The results of this study showed that treatment of human pharyngeal squamous carcinoma (PSC) cells with a growth-suppressive concentration of citrate caused cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. A coimmunoprecipitation study demonstrated that citrate-induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase was associated with stabilizing the formation of cyclin B1–phospho (p)-cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) (Thr 161) complexes. The citrate-induced increased levels of cyclin B1 and G2/M phase arrest were suppressed by the caspase-3 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CMK and caspase-3 cleavage of mutant p21 (D112N). Ectopic expression of the constitutively active form of protein kinase B (Akt1) could overcome the induction of p21 cleavage, cyclin B1–p-CDK1 (Thr 161) complexes, and G2/M phase arrest by citrate. p85α–phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted from chromosome 10 (PTEN) complex-mediated inactivation of Akt was required for citrate-induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest because PTEN short hairpin RNA or a PTEN inhibitor (SF1670) blocked the suppression of Akt Ser 473 phosphorylation and the induction of cyclin B1–p-CDK1 (Thr 161) complexes and G2/M phase arrest by citrate. In conclusion, citrate induces G2/M phase arrest in PSC cells by inducing the formation of p85α–PTEN complexes to attenuate Akt-mediated signaling, thereby causing the formation of cyclin B1–p-CDK1 (Thr 161) complexes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyclin-Dependent Kinases in Health and Diseases)
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Review

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23 pages, 613 KiB  
Review
The Role of CDKs and CDKIs in Murine Development
by Grace Jean Campbell, Emma Langdale Hands and Mathew Van de Pette
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(15), 5343; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21155343 - 28 Jul 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4128
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and their inhibitors (CDKIs) play pivotal roles in the regulation of the cell cycle. As a result of these functions, it may be extrapolated that they are essential for appropriate embryonic development. The twenty known mouse CDKs and eight CDKIs [...] Read more.
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and their inhibitors (CDKIs) play pivotal roles in the regulation of the cell cycle. As a result of these functions, it may be extrapolated that they are essential for appropriate embryonic development. The twenty known mouse CDKs and eight CDKIs have been studied to varying degrees in the developing mouse, but only a handful of CDKs and a single CDKI have been shown to be absolutely required for murine embryonic development. What has become apparent, as more studies have shone light on these family members, is that in addition to their primary functional role in regulating the cell cycle, many of these genes are also controlling specific cell fates by directing differentiation in various tissues. Here we review the extensive mouse models that have been generated to study the functions of CDKs and CDKIs, and discuss their varying roles in murine embryonic development, with a particular focus on the brain, pancreas and fertility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyclin-Dependent Kinases in Health and Diseases)
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30 pages, 887 KiB  
Review
CDKs in Sarcoma: Mediators of Disease and Emerging Therapeutic Targets
by Jordan L Kohlmeyer, David J Gordon, Munir R Tanas, Varun Monga, Rebecca D Dodd and Dawn E Quelle
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(8), 3018; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21083018 - 24 Apr 2020
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5092
Abstract
Sarcomas represent one of the most challenging tumor types to treat due to their diverse nature and our incomplete understanding of their underlying biology. Recent work suggests cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) pathway activation is a powerful driver of sarcomagenesis. CDK proteins participate in numerous [...] Read more.
Sarcomas represent one of the most challenging tumor types to treat due to their diverse nature and our incomplete understanding of their underlying biology. Recent work suggests cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) pathway activation is a powerful driver of sarcomagenesis. CDK proteins participate in numerous cellular processes required for normal cell function, but their dysregulation is a hallmark of many pathologies including cancer. The contributions and significance of aberrant CDK activity to sarcoma development, however, is only partly understood. Here, we describe what is known about CDK-related alterations in the most common subtypes of sarcoma and highlight areas that warrant further investigation. As disruptions in CDK pathways appear in most, if not all, subtypes of sarcoma, we discuss the history and value of pharmacologically targeting CDKs to combat these tumors. The goals of this review are to (1) assess the prevalence and importance of CDK pathway alterations in sarcomas, (2) highlight the gap in knowledge for certain CDKs in these tumors, and (3) provide insight into studies focused on CDK inhibition for sarcoma treatment. Overall, growing evidence demonstrates a crucial role for activated CDKs in sarcoma development and as important targets for sarcoma therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyclin-Dependent Kinases in Health and Diseases)
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28 pages, 1329 KiB  
Review
The Roles of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases in Cell-Cycle Progression and Therapeutic Strategies in Human Breast Cancer
by Lei Ding, Jiaqi Cao, Wen Lin, Hongjian Chen, Xianhui Xiong, Hongshun Ao, Min Yu, Jie Lin and Qinghua Cui
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(6), 1960; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21061960 - 13 Mar 2020
Cited by 257 | Viewed by 25110
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are serine/threonine kinases whose catalytic activities are regulated by interactions with cyclins and CDK inhibitors (CKIs). CDKs are key regulatory enzymes involved in cell proliferation through regulating cell-cycle checkpoints and transcriptional events in response to extracellular and intracellular signals. Not [...] Read more.
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are serine/threonine kinases whose catalytic activities are regulated by interactions with cyclins and CDK inhibitors (CKIs). CDKs are key regulatory enzymes involved in cell proliferation through regulating cell-cycle checkpoints and transcriptional events in response to extracellular and intracellular signals. Not surprisingly, the dysregulation of CDKs is a hallmark of cancers, and inhibition of specific members is considered an attractive target in cancer therapy. In breast cancer (BC), dual CDK4/6 inhibitors, palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib, combined with other agents, were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently for the treatment of hormone receptor positive (HR+) advanced or metastatic breast cancer (A/MBC), as well as other sub-types of breast cancer. Furthermore, ongoing studies identified more selective CDK inhibitors as promising clinical targets. In this review, we focus on the roles of CDKs in driving cell-cycle progression, cell-cycle checkpoints, and transcriptional regulation, a highlight of dysregulated CDK activation in BC. We also discuss the most relevant CDK inhibitors currently in clinical BC trials, with special emphasis on CDK4/6 inhibitors used for the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth factor 2-negative (HER2−) M/ABC patients, as well as more emerging precise therapeutic strategies, such as combination therapies and microRNA (miRNA) therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyclin-Dependent Kinases in Health and Diseases)
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16 pages, 556 KiB  
Review
Role of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors in Endometrial Cancer
by Gaia Giannone, Valentina Tuninetti, Eleonora Ghisoni, Sofia Genta, Giulia Scotto, Gloria Mittica and Giorgio Valabrega
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(9), 2353; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20092353 - 12 May 2019
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 6443
Abstract
Endometrial Cancer (EC) is an important cause of death in women worldwide. Despite early diagnosis and optimal treatment of localized disease, relapsed patients have few therapeutic options because after first line therapy, currently no standard of care exists. On the basis of endocrine [...] Read more.
Endometrial Cancer (EC) is an important cause of death in women worldwide. Despite early diagnosis and optimal treatment of localized disease, relapsed patients have few therapeutic options because after first line therapy, currently no standard of care exists. On the basis of endocrine positivity of most endometrioid ECs, Endocrine Therapy (ET) is a reasonable and widely accepted option. Better knowledge of molecular mechanisms involved in cancer highlighted the deregulated activity of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs) in the cell cycle as a hallmark of carcinogenesis supporting the development of a new class of drugs: CDK inhibitors (CDKis). The aim of this review is to give an overview on CDKis preclinical, early clinical activity and future development in EC. Use of CDKis has a strong preclinical rationale but we have poor clinical data. Similar to breast cancer, most ongoing trials are investigating synergistic associations between CDKis and ET. These trials will probably help in defining the best clinical setting of CDKis in ECs, which are the best partner drugs, and how to manage CDKis toxicities with a focus on potential biomarkers of response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyclin-Dependent Kinases in Health and Diseases)
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