Enzymes activated by cyclins that phosphorylate target proteins to drive progression through cell cycle checkpoints.
CDKs are inactive without a cyclin partner whose level rises and falls through the cycle. Active cyclin-CDK complexes phosphorylate targets, for example Rb protein, which releases E2F transcription factors to switch on S phase genes.
Inhibitors such as p21 and p27 stop the cycle. Cyclin destruction by the ubiquitin-ligase APC/C allows exit from mitosis.
Enzymes activated by cyclins that phosphorylate target proteins to drive progression through cell cycle checkpoints.
Cyclin-Dependent Kinases is one of the 52 topics in Cell Biology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Receptor Tyrosine Kinases, Cell Differentiation, G Protein-Coupled Receptors.
CDK4/6 inhibitors are now used as breast cancer drugs.
Work through the Beginner topics in Cell Biology first, such as Cell Theory, Prokaryotic Cell, Eukaryotic Cell, then return to Cyclin-Dependent Kinases. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Cyclin-Dependent Kinases are Receptor Tyrosine Kinases, Cell Differentiation, G Protein-Coupled Receptors, Apoptosis. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Cyclin-Dependent Kinases. To practise the whole of Cell Biology, use the Cell Biology quiz.
Cyclin-Dependent Kinases: Enzymes activated by cyclins that phosphorylate target proteins to drive progression through cell cycle checkpoints. Receptor Tyrosine Kinases: Surface receptors that dimerise on ligand binding and autophosphorylate, triggering cascades like the Ras-MAPK pathway. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Receptor Tyrosine Kinases and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Cell Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Surface receptors that dimerise on ligand binding and autophosphorylate, triggering cascades like the Ras-MAPK pathway.
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