Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Cellular Membrane Affinity Chromatography Columns to Identify Specialized Plant Metabolites Interacting with Immobilized Tropomyosin Kinase Receptor B
11:44

Cellular Membrane Affinity Chromatography Columns to Identify Specialized Plant Metabolites Interacting with Immobilized Tropomyosin Kinase Receptor B

Published on: January 19, 2022

2.5K

TNIK's emerging role in cancer, metabolism, and age-related diseases

Collin Y Ewald1, Fadi E Pulous2, Sarah Wing Yan Lok3

  • 1Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix Regeneration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Schwerzenbach CH-8603, Switzerland.

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
|May 22, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Traf2- and Nck-interacting kinase (TNIK) is a key regulator in diseases, impacting cancer, metabolic disorders, and neuronal function. Targeting TNIK shows therapeutic promise, with recent clinical trials demonstrating success.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Traf2- and Nck-interacting kinase (TNIK) was initially recognized for its roles in cell migration and proliferation.
  • Emerging evidence highlights TNIK's significant involvement in the pathogenesis of various diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the newly identified functions of TNIK in cancer, metabolic disorders, and neuronal function.
  • To emphasize TNIK signaling's implications in metabolic pathways and assess its translational potential.
  • To explore TNIK's convergence with hallmarks of aging.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and analysis of existing research on TNIK.
  • Evaluation of TNIK's role in disease pathogenesis.
  • Assessment of clinical trial data for TNIK-targeting drugs.

Main Results:

  • TNIK plays a critical role in pathological metabolic signaling across multiple disease contexts.
  • TNIK's functions extend to cancer, metabolic disorders, and neuronal function, influencing disease progression.
  • TNIK's involvement in biological processes aligns with several hallmarks of aging.

Conclusions:

  • TNIK is a promising therapeutic target for a range of diseases due to its role in metabolic signaling.
  • Targeting TNIK has demonstrated clinical success, indicating significant translational potential.
  • Further research into TNIK signaling may unlock new therapeutic strategies for age-related diseases.
Keywords:
TNIKWntcancerglucoselipidneurotransmission

More Related Videos

Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo08:19

Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo

Published on: July 20, 2019

5.9K
Evaluating the Role of Mitochondrial Function in Cancer-related Fatigue08:56

Evaluating the Role of Mitochondrial Function in Cancer-related Fatigue

Published on: May 17, 2018

9.1K

Related Concept Videos

Mitochondria01:37

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
12.2K
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
13.0K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
3.5K
Aging01:26

Aging

Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
48
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.8K
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds...
3.6K