ECDK2

ECDK2 is a protein kinase in the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) family. In several databases, ECDK2 is listed as an alternate symbol for CDK2, a serine/threonine kinase that regulates cell cycle progression. The enzyme is activated through association with cyclins, primarily cyclin E during the G1/S transition and cyclin A during S phase.

Upon activation, CDK2 phosphorylates a range of substrates, including members of the retinoblastoma (RB) family, promoting E2F-dependent transcription and DNA synthesis. Activation requires phosphorylation by CDK-activating kinase (CAK) at a conserved activation site; activity is counterbalanced by phosphorylation at inhibitory sites by Wee1/Myt1 kinases and by binding of CDK inhibitors (CKIs) such as p21 and p27.

Biological roles: CDK2 participates in G1/S transition, S-phase entry, DNA replication, and centrosome duplication. It also has roles in meiosis in certain organisms.

Clinical significance: Dysregulation of CDK2 activity is observed in various cancers; as a result, selective CDK2 inhibitors have been explored as anticancer agents. Small molecules such as roscovitine (seliciclib) and other CDK inhibitors have shown preclinical activity by blocking proliferation.