Deoxycytidine Kinase (DCK)

Deoxycytidine kinase (DCK) is responsible for the phosphorylation of several deoxyribonucleosides and their analogs. Deficiency of this enzyme activity is associated with resistance to antiviral and anticancer chemotherapeutic agents, whereas increased enzyme activity is associated with increased activation of these compounds to cytotoxic nucleoside triphosphate derivatives. It is clinically important because of its relationship to drug resistance and sensitivity. It is the rate limiting enzyme in the activation of many important anticancer and retroviral drugs and its activity is often decreased in cells that are resistant to cytosine arabinoside.Human deoxyribonucleoside kinases are required for the pharmacologic activity of several clinically important anticancer and antiviral nucleoside analogs.