Journal
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
Volume 118, Issue 22, Pages 5171-5180Publisher
COMPANY BIOLOGISTS LTD
DOI: 10.1242/jcs.02718
Keywords
cell cycle; transcription; cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK); CDK-activating kinase (CAK); transcription factor; TFIIH; C-terminal domain (CTD)
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Funding
- NIDDK NIH HHS [DK45460] Funding Source: Medline
- NIGMS NIH HHS [GM56985] Funding Source: Medline
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In metazoans, cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) has essential roles in both the cell-division cycle and transcription, as a CDK-activating kinase (CAK) and as a component of the general transcription factor TFIIH, respectively. Controversy over its double duty has been resolved, but questions' remain. First, how does CDK7 achieve the dual substrate specificity necessary to perform both roles? Second, is there a deeper connection implied by the dichotomy of CDK7 function, for example similar mechanisms controlling cell division and gene expression, and/or actual coordination of the two processes? Enzymological studies have revealed solutions to the unusual substrate recognition problem, and there is evidence that the distinct functions of CDK7 can be regulated independently. Finally, despite divergence in their wiring, the CAK-CDK networks of budding yeast, fission yeast and metazoans all link transcriptional regulation with operation of the cell-cycle machinery. This connection might help to ensure that mRNAs encoding effectors of cell division are expressed at the right time in the cycle.
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