This kinase is a catalytic subunit of the protein kinase complex, important for the G1 phase progression and G1/S transition of the cell cycle and the complex is composed also by an activating sub-unit; the cyclin D.[10] The activity of this kinase first appears in mid-G1 phase, which is controlled by the regulatory subunits including D-type cyclins and members of INK4 family of CDK inhibitors.[7] This kinase, as well as CDK4, has been shown to phosphorylate, and thus regulate the activity of, tumor suppressor Retinoblastoma protein making CDK6 an important protein in cancer development.[10]
^Diaz-Moralli S, Tarrado-Castellarnau M, Miranda A, Cascante M (May 2013). "Targeting cell cycle regulation in cancer therapy". Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 138 (2): 255–271. doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.01.011. PMID23356980.
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