PROTEIN KINASES AND PHOSPHATASES AS DRUG TARGETS TO CURE HUMAN MALIGNANCIES

Protein phosphorylation controls various aspects of cell proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, survival and motility. Protein kinases and phosphatases are involved in intracellular signal transduction pathways providing a dynamic and reversible regulation of many biological activities. One of the biggest challenges of modern medicine IS to identify promising therapeutic targets among these families of enzymes, which are involved in the development of various human cancers.This review focuses on protein kinases and phosphatases as targets of small-molecule drugs. Some examples of breakthrough compounds are highlighted to illustrate achievements and challenges in the generation of smallmolecule inhibitors to cure human malignancies.