CDKL2 Is Associated with HER2 Status and Overall Survival in Gastric Cancer: Comparative Analysis of CDKL2 Protein Expression and Gene Copy Number

A review of CDKL: An underestimated protein kinase family

Cyclin-dependent kinase-like (CDKL) family proteins are serine/threonine protein kinases and is a specific branch of CMGC (including CDK, MAPK, GSK). Its name is due to the sequence similarity with CDK and it consists of 5 members. Their function in protein phosphorylation underpins their important role in cellular activities, including cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy and microtubule dynamics. CDKL proteins have been demonstrated to regulate the length of primary cilium, which is a dynamic and diverse signaling hub and closely associated with multiple diseases. Furthermore, CDKL proteins have been shown to be involved in the development and progression of several diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and kidney disease. In this review, we summarize the structural characteristics and discovered functions of CDKL proteins and their role in diseases, which might be helpful for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for disease.

Discovery and Characterization of a Chemical Probe for Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Like 2

Acylaminoindazole-based inhibitors of CDKL2 were identified via analyses of cell-free binding and selectivity data. Compound 9 was selected as a CDKL2 chemical probe based on its potent inhibition of CDKL2 enzymatic activity, engagement of CDKL2 in cells, and excellent kinome-wide selectivity, especially when used in cells. Compound 16 was designed as a negative control to be used alongside compound 9 in experiments to interrogate CDKL2-mediated biology. A solved cocrystal structure of compound 9 bound to CDKL2 highlighted key interactions it makes within its ATP-binding site. Inhibition of downstream phosphorylation of EB2, a CDKL2 substrate, in rat primary neurons provided evidence that engagement of CDKL2 by compound 9 in cells resulted in inhibition of its activity. When used at relevant concentrations, compound 9 does not impact the viability of rat primary neurons or certain breast cancer cells nor elicit consistent changes in the expression of proteins involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Discovery and Characterization of a Chemical Probe for Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Like 2

Acylaminoindazole-based inhibitors of CDKL2 were identified via analyses of cell-free binding and selectivity data. Compound 9 was selected as a CDKL2 chemical probe based on its potent inhibition of CDKL2 enzymatic activity, engagement of CDKL2 in cells, and excellent kinome-wide selectivity, especially when used in cells. Compound 16 was designed as a negative control to be used alongside compound 9 in experiments to interrogate CDKL2-mediated biology. A solved co-crystal structure of compound 9 bound to CDKL2 highlighted key interactions it makes within its ATP-binding site. Inhibition of downstream phosphorylation of EB2, a CDKL2 substrate, in rat primary neurons provided evidence that engagement of CDKL2 by compound 9 in cells resulted in inhibition of its activity. When used at relevant concentrations, compound 9 does not impact the viability of rat primary neurons or certain breast cancer cells nor elicit consistent changes in the expression of proteins involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Magnetic resonance imaging-based radiogenomics analysis for predicting prognosis and gene expression profile in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To establish a radiomics nomogram for survival prediction and determine if genomic data were related to radiomics signature in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODS

Radiomics features were extracted from contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (CE-T1WI) in 316 patients. A progression-free survival (PFS) nomogram was developed and validated by the combination of the radiomics signature and clinicopathologic factors. Whole transcriptomics sequencing was performed in pretreatment tumor samples; correlation of gene expression and radiomics signature was further investigated.

RESULTS

A 24-feature-combined radiomics signature was highly correlated with PFS; its integration with clinical predictors showed good prediction performance in the training and the validation cohort (C-index: 0.80 and 0.73). A significant correlation was observed between certain gene expression and Rad-score, especially the mRNA expression of CDKL2, PLIN5, and SPAG1.

CONCLUSION

As a noninvasive method, the MRI-based radiomics signature might enable the pretreatment prediction of prognosis and gene expressions profile in advanced NPC.