Int J Biochem Mol Biol 2013;4(3):140-149
Review Article
Redundancy or specificity? The role of the CDK Pho85 in cell cycle control
Javier Jiménez, Natalia Ricco, Carmen Grijota-Martínez, Rut Fadó, Josep Clotet
Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, International University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Catalonia
Received July 26, 2013; Accepted August 31, 2013; Epub September 13, 2013; Published September 15, 2013
Abstract: It is generally accepted that progression through the eukaryotic cell cycle is driven by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which are
regulated by interaction with oscillatory expressed proteins called cyclins. CDKs may be separated into 2 categories: essential and non-
essential. Understandably, more attention has been focused on essential CDKs because they are shown to control cell cycle progression to a
greater degree. After clearly determining the basic and “core” mechanisms of essential CDKs, several questions arise. What role do non-
essential CDKs play? Are these CDKs functionally redundant and do they serve as a mere backup? Or might they be responsible for some
accessory tasks in cell cycle progression or control? In the present review we will try to answer these questions based on recent findings on
the involvement of non-essential CDKs in cell cycle progression. We will analyse the most recent information with regard to these questions in
the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a well-established eukaryotic model, and in its unique non-essential CDK involved in the cell cycle,
Pho85. We will also briefly extend our discussion to higher eukaryotic systems. (IJBMB1307008).
Keywords: CDK (cyclin-dependent kinase), Pho85, cell cycle, S. cerevisiae
Address correspondence to: Dr. Javier Jiménez, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, International
University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Catalonia. E-mail: jjimenez@uic.es
Review Article
Redundancy or specificity? The role of the CDK Pho85 in cell cycle control
Javier Jiménez, Natalia Ricco, Carmen Grijota-Martínez, Rut Fadó, Josep Clotet
Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, International University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Catalonia
Received July 26, 2013; Accepted August 31, 2013; Epub September 13, 2013; Published September 15, 2013
Abstract: It is generally accepted that progression through the eukaryotic cell cycle is driven by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which are
regulated by interaction with oscillatory expressed proteins called cyclins. CDKs may be separated into 2 categories: essential and non-
essential. Understandably, more attention has been focused on essential CDKs because they are shown to control cell cycle progression to a
greater degree. After clearly determining the basic and “core” mechanisms of essential CDKs, several questions arise. What role do non-
essential CDKs play? Are these CDKs functionally redundant and do they serve as a mere backup? Or might they be responsible for some
accessory tasks in cell cycle progression or control? In the present review we will try to answer these questions based on recent findings on
the involvement of non-essential CDKs in cell cycle progression. We will analyse the most recent information with regard to these questions in
the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a well-established eukaryotic model, and in its unique non-essential CDK involved in the cell cycle,
Pho85. We will also briefly extend our discussion to higher eukaryotic systems. (IJBMB1307008).
Keywords: CDK (cyclin-dependent kinase), Pho85, cell cycle, S. cerevisiae
Address correspondence to: Dr. Javier Jiménez, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, International
University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Catalonia. E-mail: jjimenez@uic.es
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