Cyclin-Dependent Kinases and CTD Phosphatases in Cell Cycle Transcriptional Control: Conservation across Eukaryotic Kingdoms and Uniqueness to Plants

Abstract

Cell cycle control is vital for cell proliferation in all eukaryotic organisms. The entire cell cycle can be conceptually separated into four distinct phases, Gap 1 (G1), DNA synthesis (S), G2, and mitosis (M), which progress sequentially. The precise control of transcription, in particular, at the G1 to S and G2 to M transitions, is crucial for the synthesis of many phase-specific proteins, to ensure orderly progression throughout the cell cycle. This mini-review highlights highly conserved transcriptional regulators that are shared in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Arabidopsis thaliana model plant, and humans, which have been separated for more than a billion years of evolution. These include structurally and/or functionally conserved regulators cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain (CTD) phosphatases, and the classical versus shortcut models of Pol II transcriptional control. A few of CDKs and CTD phosphatases counteract to control the Pol II CTD Ser phosphorylation codes and are considered critical regulators of Pol II transcriptional process from initiation to elongation and termination. The functions of plant-unique CDKs and CTD phosphatases in relation to cell division are also briefly summarized. Future studies towards testing a cooperative transcriptional mechanism, which is proposed here and involves sequence-specific transcription factors and the shortcut model of Pol II CTD code modulation, across the three eukaryotic kingdoms will reveal how individual organisms achieve the most productive, large-scale transcription of phase-specific genes required for orderly progression throughout the entire cell cycle.

Genome-wide identification, evolutionary and expression analysis of the cyclin-dependent kinase gene family in peanut

“…The CDKs are functionally highly conserved, but their numbers vary among different organisms. For instance, the mammalian genome encodes nearly 20 CDKs, whereas in yeast there are only six [ 6 ]. Despite its role in cell cycle progression, CDKs are also involved in DNA repair, transcriptional regulation, and proteolytic degradation mechanisms in mammals [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Cytotoxicity of 9,10-Phenanthrenequinone Impairs Mitotic Progression and Spindle Assembly Independent of ROS Production in HeLa Cells

“…Cells also monitor chromosome separation during mitosis through the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), which is important for kinetochore-microtubule (kMT) attachment for the correct segregation of two sister chromatids [27]. In addition, severely prolonged mitosis can lead to cell death, as determined by apoptosis regulators [28][29][30]. Mitotic spindles play essential roles in aligning chromosomes to ensure that each daughter cell receives a genome with conserved integrity.…”

Editorial to Summarize the Papers Published in the Special Issue “10th Anniversary of Cells—Advances in Cell Cycle”

“…This Special Issue also published six comprehensive high quality review articles. These reviews covered a broad range of topics: the impact of 5-Bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) on the proliferative behavior of cerebellar neuroblasts [ 6 ], the regulation of the cell cycle by telomerase [ 7 ], growth factors [ 8 ], heat shock transcription factors [ 9 ], Cyclin-Dependent Kinases and CTD Phosphatases [ 10 ], and the effects of low-dose radiation on the cell cycle [ 11 ].These reviews focused on various model organisms, including mammalian cells, plant cells, yeast, and parasites of the Leishmania genus .…”

“…The precise control of transcription is crucial for the synthesis of many phase-specific proteins and for the orderly progression of the cell cycle. Dr. Zheng wrote a timely review for this Special Issue to discuss this important topic in cell cycle research [ 10 ]. This comprehensive review highlights highly conserved transcriptional regulators that are shared in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Arabidopsis thaliana model plants, and humans, which are separated by more than a billion years of evolution.…”

“…These CDKs and CTD phosphatases have conserved domains across the three eukaryotic kingdoms, but some of them have also evolved with unique structures and functions in each of the kingdoms. This review is an insightful future perspective regarding the precise control of transcription in cell cycle regulation [ 10 ].…”