Work

Activating protein kinases to treat diseases: Current understanding and future challenges

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Protein kinases, as one of the most important human enzymes, are signaling molecules that regulate almost all cell activities, including growth, cell division and metabolism. Dysfunction of these cellular pathways can lead to a variety of human diseases. Accumulating evidence on the down-regulation of key protein kinases in diseases has made a big progress. The down-regulation is related to cancer, heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases and other diseases. Thus, in this review, we defined the classifications of protein kinases and demonstrated the mechanisms of protein kinase activators in the treatment of human diseases, summarized the research progress of protein kinase activators, and further discussed the development progress of protein kinase activators in clinical stage. Accordingly, activation of protein kinases has become a crucial target for drug development. With the in-depth understanding of protein kinase functions and regulation mechanisms, the development of new protein kinase activators may continue to be a rapidly growing field, which will help to develop more accurate and effective targeted therapeutic strategies in the near future.

Source: Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B

DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2025.12.004

Authors: Peng Jin, Minru Liao, Huidi Liu, Kun Huang, Leilei Fu, Xin Jin

Institutions: Sheng Jing Hospital, China Medical University, Southwest Jiaotong University, First Hospital of China Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Protein Kinase Regulation and GTPase Signaling

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,600