Final answer:
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDK inhibitors) regulate the progression of the cell cycle by blocking it until specific events are completed. They indirectly or directly monitor certain cell cycle events to ensure proper regulation. An adverse effect of CDK inhibitors is their potential to disrupt normal cell division.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDK inhibitors) are molecules that prevent the full activation of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) and regulate the progression of the cell cycle. They block the cell cycle until specific events are completed. CDK inhibitors directly or indirectly monitor certain cell cycle events to ensure they occur before allowing the cell cycle to proceed. This control mechanism helps maintain the integrity and proper regulation of the cell cycle.
One example of a CDK inhibitor is p21, which prevents the activation of Cdks by binding to them. By inhibiting Cdks, p21 halts the cell cycle progression until DNA damage is repaired, reducing the risk of genetic abnormalities and promoting cell survival.
An adverse effect of CDK inhibitors is their potential to interfere with normal cell division. If CDK inhibitors are overexpressed or dysregulated, they can disrupt the balance of the cell cycle, leading to cell growth arrest or cell death. However, CDK inhibitors are also being investigated as therapeutic targets in cancer treatment, as their inhibition could be used to suppress the uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells.