Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 17, 2026

Development of Inhibitors of Protein-protein Interactions through REPLACE: Application to the Design and Development Non-ATP Competitive CDK Inhibitors
10:33

Development of Inhibitors of Protein-protein Interactions through REPLACE: Application to the Design and Development Non-ATP Competitive CDK Inhibitors

Published on: October 26, 2015

Regulation of the cdk inhibitor p27 and its deregulation in cancer

J Slingerland1, M Pagano

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto Ontario, Canada.

Journal of Cellular Physiology
|March 4, 2000
PubMed

Insights

The cell cycle inhibitor p27 (also known as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B) is crucial for preventing cell growth. Its degradation in aggressive tumors suggests a potential link to cancer progression and prognosis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • p27 is a key cell cycle inhibitor.
  • Its levels rise in response to antimitogenic signals.
  • Regulation of p27 occurs through synthesis and degradation pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the function and regulation of p27.
  • To highlight the significance of p27 degradation in human cancers.
  • To explore the clinical utility of p27 detection.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of p27 function and regulation.
  • Analysis of p27's role in cancer progression.
  • Discussion of immunodetection techniques for p27.

Main Results:

  • p27 abundance is modulated by synthesis and ubiquitin-mediated degradation.
  • Enhanced p27 degradation is observed in aggressive human tumors.
  • Loss of p27 may provide a growth advantage to cancers.

Conclusions:

  • p27 plays a critical role in cell cycle control.
  • Aberrant p27 degradation is linked to aggressive tumor growth.
  • p27 immunodetection may aid in cancer prognosis and therapy.

Related Concept Videos

Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Inhibition of CDK Activity02:34

Inhibition of CDK Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Negative Regulator Molecules01:23

Negative Regulator Molecules

Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Positive Regulator Molecules02:39

Positive Regulator Molecules

Mitotic cell division results in daughter cells that exactly resemble the parent cell. However, errors in the DNA replication or distribution of genetic material may lead to genetic mutations that may be passed down to every new cell formed from the resulting abnormal cell. Propagation of such mutant cells is restricted through checkpoint mechanisms present at different stages of the cell cycle. These checkpoints involve regulator molecules that either promote or demote cell cycle events.
Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division01:27

Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division

Several external and internal factors influence the initiation and inhibition of cell division. For instance, the death of nearby cells or the release of human growth hormone (hGH) promotes cell division. In contrast, lack of hGH or crowding of cells can inhibit cell division.
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...