INK4
INK4
INK4 (pronounced as I-N-K-four) is a family of proteins that function as inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). The name INK4 is an acronym derived from Inhibitors of CDK4.
Etymology
The term INK4 is derived from the function of the proteins in this family. They are known to inhibit cyclin-dependent kinases, particularly CDK4, hence the name INK4.
Function
INK4 proteins are crucial in the regulation of the cell cycle, specifically the progression from the G1 phase to the S phase. They achieve this by binding to CDK4 and CDK6, preventing them from interacting with cyclin D, which is necessary for the transition to the S phase.
Members
The INK4 family consists of four members: p16INK4a, p15INK4b, p18INK4c, and p19INK4d. Each of these proteins has a distinct role in cell cycle regulation and has been implicated in various diseases, including cancer.
Clinical Significance
Alterations in the INK4 family of proteins have been associated with a variety of cancers. For instance, the p16INK4a protein is frequently inactivated in a wide range of cancers, making it a significant focus in cancer research.
Related Terms
- Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs): A family of proteins that regulate the cell cycle.
- Cell cycle: The process by which a cell grows and divides to produce two daughter cells.
- Cyclin D: A protein that forms a complex with CDK4 or CDK6 to drive the cell cycle progression.
- Cancer: A group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on INK4
- Wikipedia's article - INK4
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski