The Sweet Side of HIPK2

HIPK2 is an evolutionary conserved protein kinase which modulates many molecular pathways involved in cellular functions such as apoptosis, DNA damage response, protein stability, and protein transcription. HIPK2 plays a key role in the cancer cell response to cytotoxic drugs as its deregulation impairs drug-induced cancer cell death. HIPK2 has also been involved in regulating fibrosis, angiogenesis, and neurological diseases. Recently, hyperglycemia was found to positively and/or negatively regulate HIPK2 activity, affecting not only cancer cell response to chemotherapy but also the progression of some diabetes complications. The present review will discuss how HIPK2 may be influenced by the high glucose (HG) metabolic condition and the consequences of such regulation in medical conditions.

Automated summary

HIPK2 is a protein kinase that plays a crucial role in various cellular functions and molecular pathways. It is involved in cancer cell response to cytotoxic drugs, regulation of fibrosis, angiogenesis, and neurological diseases. Recent studies have found that HIPK2 activity can be influenced by hyperglycemia, affecting cancer cell response to chemotherapy and the progression of diabetes complications.