Cdc-Like Kinases (CLKs): Biology, Chemical Probes, and Therapeutic Potential

Abstract

Protein kinases represent a very pharmacologically attractive class of targets; however, some members of the family still remain rather unexplored. The biology and therapeutic potential of cdc-like kinases (CLKs) have been explored mainly over the last decade and the first CLK inhibitor, compound SM08502, entered clinical trials only recently. This review summarizes the biological roles and therapeutic potential of CLKs and their heretofore published small-molecule inhibitors, with a focus on the compounds’ potential to be utilized as quality chemical biology probes.

Keywords

• CLK
• cdc-like kinase
• inhibitor
• chemical biology
• tool compound
• chemical probe