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The Role of Protein Kinase in Health and Diseases

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 422

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta San Donato 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Interests: protein kinases; phosphorylation; CDKL5; neurological disorder; targeted therapies

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Protein kinases are enzymes that modify other proteins by adding phosphate groups, playing a vital role in cellular processes such as growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. They are classified into two main types: serine/threonine kinases, which target serine and threonine residues, and tyrosine kinases, which phosphorylate tyrosine residues. Dysregulated kinase activity is linked to various diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's), and metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity. Abnormal kinase function can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and disrupt essential signaling pathways. Understanding the roles of protein kinases in disease is crucial for developing targeted therapies aimed at restoring cellular balance and improving patient outcomes. This Special Issue calls for original research and reviews on protein kinases in disease and potential therapeutic interventions.

Dr. Manuela Loi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • protein kinases
  • phosphorylation
  • cancer
  • neurological disorder
  • targeted therapies
  • metabolic diseases

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

17 pages, 2031 KiB  
Review
Protein Kinase CK2 Inhibition Represents a Pharmacological Chance for the Treatment of Skin Diseases
by Michele Scuruchi, Desirèe Speranza, Giuseppe Bruschetta, Federico Vaccaro, Mariarosaria Galeano, Giovanni Pallio, Mario Vaccaro, Francesco Borgia, Federica Li Pomi, Massimo Collino and Natasha Irrera
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(11), 5404; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26115404 - 4 Jun 2025
Viewed by 254
Abstract
Protein kinase CK2 has emerged as a pivotal regulator of cellular processes involved in skin homeostasis, including cell proliferation, differentiation and inflammatory response regulation. In fact, CK2 activity dysregulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of different skin diseases, such as psoriasis, cancer and [...] Read more.
Protein kinase CK2 has emerged as a pivotal regulator of cellular processes involved in skin homeostasis, including cell proliferation, differentiation and inflammatory response regulation. In fact, CK2 activity dysregulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of different skin diseases, such as psoriasis, cancer and inflammatory dermatoses. CK2 overactivation fosters keratinocyte proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production through the STAT3 and Akt pathways in psoriasis, thus contributing to epidermal hyperplasia and inflammation. In the realm of oncology, CK2 overexpression correlates with tumor progression, facilitating cell survival and metastasis in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Pharmacological inhibition of CK2 has demonstrated therapeutic potential, with CX-4945 (Silmitasertib) as the most studied adenosine triphosphate-competitive inhibitor (ATP-competitive inhibitor). Preclinical models reveal that CK2 inhibitors effectively mitigate pathological features of psoriasis, regulate keratinocyte differentiation, and suppress tumor growth in skin cancers. These inhibitors also potentiate the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutics and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in dermatological conditions. Future research will aim to enhance the specificity and delivery of CK2-targeting therapies, including topical formulations, to minimize systemic side effects. Combination therapies integrating CK2 inhibitors with other agents might offer synergistic benefits in managing skin diseases. This review underscores CK2’s critical role in skin and its therapeutic potential as a pharmacological target, advocating for innovative approaches to harness CK2 inhibition in dermatology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Protein Kinase in Health and Diseases)
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