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Kinase Inhibitors in Mesothelioma Treatment
Protein kinases are enzymes that modify proteins by chemically adding
phosphate groups in a process known as phosphorylation. Kinases are
impotant class of cellular enzymes which regulate the behavior of
the cells like, signal transduction, the transmission of signals within
the cell. The human genome contains about 500 protein kinase genes;
they constitute about 2% of all eukaryotic genes.
Protein kinases add or remove a phosphate group from the energy source
of the cell known as “ATP” and attaching it to the proteins. Depending
on the amino acid group in the protein to which the kinases attach
the phosphate group, they are called serine threonine kinases (when
they act on amino acid serine and threonine) or tyrosine kinases (when
they act on the amino acid tyrosine). Some kinases act on all of the
three amino acids and are said to have dual specificity.
Protein kinases have profound effects on a cell. They act on a variety
of substrates in the cell including structural proteins in the cell
membrane, metabolic enzymes which digest the various metabolic products
in the cell, proteins which control the division of the cell known
as cell cycle, and transcription factors which start the process of
activation of gene.
The main function of the protein kinases is transmission of the signal
within the cell known as signal transduction. Pathways involved in
signal transduction is important in all cellular processes like metabolism,
proliferation, differentiation, survival, migration, and angiogenesis.
The activity state of these proteins determines the fate of the cell;
aberrant expression and activities of these functional classes of
enzymes result in abnormal signal transmission. Deregulated kinase
activity is a frequent cause of disease, particularly cancer, because
kinases regulate many aspects that control cell growth, movement and
death.
This website is sponsored by Brad Cooper* of The
Cooper, Hart, Leggiero, & Whitehead, PLLC. Cooper, Hart, Leggiero, & Whitehead is located in The Woodlands, Texas
(Greater Houston Area) and can be reached toll free at 1-800-998-9729
for more information on mesothelioma. Brad Cooper is not a medical
doctor. The information on these pages is for the education of mesothelioma
patients and their families regarding potential medical and legal
options. Patients are advised to consult with a medical doctor.
* Licensed
by the Supreme Court of Texas.
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