Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Studying Cell Cycle-regulated Gene Expression by Two Complementary Cell Synchronization Protocols
12:02

Studying Cell Cycle-regulated Gene Expression by Two Complementary Cell Synchronization Protocols

Published on: June 6, 2017

Cell cycle control in breast cancer cells

C Elizabeth Caldon1, Roger J Daly, Robert L Sutherland

  • 1Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry
|November 4, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Key cell-cycle regulators, including cyclins D1/E and inhibitors p21/p27, are crucial in breast cancer. Their dysregulation impacts patient outcomes and therapy response, highlighting their oncogenic or tumor-suppressive roles.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Cycle Regulation

Background:

  • Cyclins D1 and E, and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 (Waf1/Cip1), p27 (Kip1), and p16 (INK4A) are critical regulators of cell-cycle control in breast cancer.
  • These molecules function as potential oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, influencing mammary epithelial cell transformation.
  • Their regulation is linked to mitogenic stimuli, including receptor tyrosine kinases and steroid hormone receptors, and their deregulation impacts breast cancer prognosis and therapeutic response.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the roles of specific cell-cycle regulators in breast cancer.
  • To understand how these regulators are controlled by mitogenic stimuli.
  • To investigate the impact of deregulation of these cell-cycle proteins on breast cancer outcomes and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of cyclin D1, cyclin E, p21, p27, and p16 expression and function in breast cancer models.
  • Investigating the regulatory mechanisms involving receptor tyrosine kinases and steroid hormone receptors.
  • Correlating the expression and activity of these proteins with clinical outcomes and response to therapy.

Main Results:

  • Cyclins D1/E and CDK inhibitors p21/p27 are integral to cell-cycle control in breast cancer.
  • Deregulation of these proteins significantly affects breast cancer outcomes and therapy response.
  • p16 (INK4A) plays a critical role in mammary epithelial cell transformation.
  • Cyclin D1 exhibits functions beyond CDK inhibition, potentially contributing to proliferative control loss in oncogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Cyclins and CDK inhibitors are key players in breast cancer development and progression.
  • Targeting or understanding these cell-cycle regulators may offer therapeutic strategies.
  • The non-CDK-dependent functions of molecules like cyclin D1 warrant further investigation in mammary oncogenesis.

More Related Videos

Analysis of Cell Cycle Position in Mammalian Cells12:19

Analysis of Cell Cycle Position in Mammalian Cells

Published on: January 21, 2012

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis11:44

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis

Published on: March 30, 2019

Related Concept Videos

The Cell Cycle Control System01:28

The Cell Cycle Control System

The cell cycle regulation directs how a cell proceeds from one phase to the next and begins mitosis. The cell cycle control system includes intracellular regulatory molecules and external triggers. They provide "stop" or "advance" signals and operate at specific cell cycle stages termed checkpoints to ensure that a particular process is completed before the cell advances to the next phase.
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and function at the cell...
The Cell Cycle Control System02:11

The Cell Cycle Control System

The cell cycle is an organized set of events that leads the cell to divide into two daughter cells, each containing chromosomes identical to the parent cell. It is the cell cycle that leads to the formation of an entire organism from a single-cell zygote. Besides, cell division also functions in the renewal or repair of tissues in adult multicellular eukaryotes. For example, in the bone marrow, the stem cells divide to form new blood cells. Although essential for several functions, cell...
The Cell Cycle Control System02:11

The Cell Cycle Control System

The cell cycle is an organized set of events that leads the cell to divide into two daughter cells, each containing chromosomes identical to the parent cell. It is the cell cycle that leads to the formation of an entire organism from a single-cell zygote. Besides, cell division also functions in the renewal or repair of tissues in adult multicellular eukaryotes. For example, in the bone marrow, the stem cells divide to form new blood cells. Although essential for several functions, cell...
Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division01:27

Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division

Several external and internal factors influence the initiation and inhibition of cell division. For instance, the death of nearby cells or the release of human growth hormone (hGH) promotes cell division. In contrast, lack of hGH or crowding of cells can inhibit cell division.
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Inhibition of CDK Activity02:34

Inhibition of CDK Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...