Kinases: The "Indispensables"of the DNA Damage Response Cascade

The human genome is exposed to a gamut of cellular and exogenous insults on a daily basis which needs to be monitored for proper cellular functioning and survival. This surveillance is undertaken by a myriad of protein players that ensure temporal and spatial regulation of cellular homeostasis. Kinases lie at the epicenter of the DNA damage response and exhibit a dynamic functionality, from responding to the damage to regulating the role of other proteins involved in detecting and repairing the damage. Here, we review some of the key kinases involved in DNA damage response pathways and their inhibitors that are either in clinical trials or have received approval for disease treatment.