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Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Development of Inhibitors of Protein-protein Interactions through REPLACE: Application to the Design and Development Non-ATP Competitive CDK Inhibitors
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CDK12: A Potent Target and Biomarker for Human Cancer Therapy

Shujing Liang1,2,3, Lifang Hu1,2,3, Zixiang Wu1,2,3

  • 1Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China.

Cells
|June 24, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) regulates crucial cellular functions including transcription and DNA repair. Emerging research highlights CDK12

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are essential serine/threonine protein kinases regulating fundamental cellular processes.
  • Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) is a key transcription-associated CDK involved in diverse cellular functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize current knowledge on CDK12's biological functions.
  • To review research advances concerning CDK12's role in human cancers.
  • To highlight CDK12 as a potential cancer biomarker and therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on CDK12.
  • Analysis of CDK12's involvement in gene transcription, RNA splicing, and DNA damage response (DDR).
  • Examination of CDK12's implications in cell cycle progression and proliferation.

Main Results:

  • CDK12 plays versatile roles in regulating transcription, RNA processing, and DNA repair.
  • Evidence increasingly implicates CDK12 in the development and progression of various human cancers.
  • CDK12 demonstrates potential as both a diagnostic biomarker and a therapeutic target in oncology.

Conclusions:

  • CDK12 is a critical regulator of essential cellular processes.
  • CDK12's significant role in human cancers positions it as a promising target for novel cancer therapies.
  • Further research into CDK12 functions may unlock new strategies for cancer treatment and diagnosis.
Keywords:
DNA damage responsecancer therapycell cyclecell proliferationcyclin-dependent kinase 12gene transcription

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