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A proliferation of cyclins.
1Department of Molecular Biology, MB7, Scripps Research Institute, 10666 N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Trends in Cell Biology
|March 1, 1992
Summary
Cyclins, key cell cycle regulators, are a diverse protein family. This review focuses on the functions of newly discovered non-mitotic cyclins in yeast and mammalian cells.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cyclins are essential regulatory subunits of serine/threonine protein kinases.
- They play critical roles in the precise control of the cell cycle.
- The cyclin protein family has recently expanded, revealing significant diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the known functions of non-mitotic cyclins.
- To highlight the expanding diversity within the cyclin protein family.
- To discuss the roles of these cyclins in both yeast and mammalian cells.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on cyclins.
- Analysis of functional data for newly identified cyclins.
- Comparative analysis of cyclin functions across different species (yeast and mammalian cells).
Main Results:
- The cyclin family is larger and more diverse than previously recognized.
- Newly identified cyclins do not follow the classic "mitotic" cyclin accumulation and destruction pattern.
- Non-mitotic cyclins exhibit varied functions in cell cycle regulation.
Conclusions:
- The diversity of cyclins extends beyond their roles in mitosis.
- Understanding non-mitotic cyclins is crucial for a comprehensive view of cell cycle control.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the functions of these diverse proteins.