Cdkn2c - cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2C

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the INK4 family of cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitors, and contains five ankyrin repeats. This protein interacts with both Cdk4 and Cdk6 to inhibit their kinase activities, and prevent their interactions with D-type cyclins, thereby negatively regulating cell division. This gene is differentially expressed in a variety of tissues, and is cell cycle regulated. Deletion of this gene can lead to tumor growth. Maximal expression is observed at the G2/M phase. Alternative splicing and promoter usage results in multiple transript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2014]