Use of Kinase Inhibitors to Dissect Signaling Pathways

Protein kinases form one of the largest families of proteins encoded in the human genome, and these enzymes have critical roles in controlling all cellular processes. The abnormal phosphorylation state of proteins is the cause or consequence of many diseases and, for this reason, protein kinases have become attractive drug targets for the treatment of cancer, diabetes, hypertension, inflammation, and other disorders (1 –3 ).