Serine/threonine kinase 32 family proteins: The potential multifaceted regulators in cancer

As a subgroup of AGC kinases, serine/threonine kinase 32 family (STK32, also known as Yet Another Novel Kinases family) consists of three members: STK32A, STK32B and STK32C. Recently, emerging evidences have implicated the aberrant expression and dysregulated functions of STK32 kinases in human malignancies. However, there is a lack of systematic review on this topic. Here, we aim to detailly examine the expression and functional features of STK32 family kinases within the context of present reports and public datasets related, and outline current understanding on the multifunctional roles and up-stream regulatory mechanisms and down-stream effectors of STK32 kinases to highlight key research focus for future exploration and provide rationale for developing STK32-targeted therapeutics in cancer.