CDK14

CDK14 (cyclin-dependent kinase 14, also known as PFTAIRE1/PFTK1) is a serine/threonine kinase that functions in cell-cycle regulation through association with cyclins and participates in the G2/M transition of mitosis.[1][2] Mechanistically, CDK14 forms an active complex with Cyclin Y and phosphorylates the Wnt co-receptor LRP6, thereby promoting canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling and facilitating progression into mitosis.[2][2] Through regulation of Wnt pathway activity, CDK14 contributes to cell proliferation, stem-cell maintenance, and tissue development.[2][2] In disease contexts, elevated CDK14 activity has been linked to tumor progression, and experimental depletion or inhibition of CDK14 suppresses mammary stem-cell regeneration, triple-negative breast cancer growth, and metastatic potential through attenuation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.[2] Genetic studies further demonstrate that Cdk14 deficiency impairs epithelial and endothelial cell proliferation, induces G2/M cell-cycle arrest, and exacerbates lung injury responses in mouse models, highlighting its role in tissue repair and regeneration.[3] Compared with other cyclin-dependent kinases, CDK14 belongs to the CDK5 subfamily and is distinguished by its Cyclin Y-dependent regulation of LRP6 phosphorylation and canonical Wnt signaling.[3] For experimental applications, the covalent CDK14 inhibitor FMF-04-159-2 has been used to reduce Wnt signaling, suppress triple-negative breast cancer progression, and decrease pathological α-synuclein accumulation in cellular and animal models of synucleinopathy, supporting CDK14 as a pharmacologically tractable research target.[2][4]