ABSTRACT
Kinases represent one of the most numerous groups of proteins in the human genome and play an important role in regulating cell growth and cellular processes. It is estimated that as many as 518 protein kinases exist in the human genome, corresponding to nearly 1.7% of all human genes [1]. Protein kinases typically contain a conserved catalytic domain characteristic of the eukaryotic protein kinase superfamily and are classified into seven major groups, which can be further subdivided into families and subfamilies based on the sequence of their catalytic domains. Because they control processes related to growth, cell movement, cytoskeletal organization, and differentiation, loss of normal regulation can disrupt signaling cascades leading to diseases such as cancer and diabetes [2], which makes kinases logical targets for small-molecule therapeutic intervention. As many as 400 diseases may be associated with dysregulated kinase signaling [3].
