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Updated: May 12, 2026
12:02
Studying Cell Cycle-regulated Gene Expression by Two Complementary Cell Synchronization Protocols
Published on: June 6, 2017
Cell cycle checkpoint regulators reach a zillion
Kimberly M Yasutis1, Keith G Kozminski
1Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
Cell Cycle (Georgetown, Tex.)
|April 20, 2013
Summary
Regulating cell cycle entry into mitosis involves checkpoints that monitor DNA damage and cell size. Key regulators include cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), crucial for preventing cell death and cancer.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mitotic entry is controlled by the G2/M cell cycle checkpoint.
- This checkpoint monitors DNA damage and cell size.
- Dysregulation of mitotic entry can lead to oncogenesis or cell death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review conserved mechanisms of the G2/M transition.
- To highlight newly discovered upstream signaling pathways.
- To identify emerging questions and predict future discoveries in mitotic regulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of conserved G2/M transition mechanisms.
- Analysis of signaling pathways linking cell growth and DNA replication to cell cycle progression.
- Comparative study of human, frog, and yeast models.
Main Results:
- The G2/M checkpoint relies on cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A).
- Upstream signaling pathways integrating cell growth and DNA replication signals have been identified.
- Conserved mechanisms across different model organisms provide insights into mitotic regulation.
Conclusions:
- Understanding G2/M transition is vital for preventing diseases like cancer.
- Further research is needed to discover novel signaling molecules and pathways.
- Comparative studies in model organisms are essential for a comprehensive understanding.
Related Concept Videos
01:28The 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...
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and function at the cell...
02:11The 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...
02:11The 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...
01:45Positive Regulator Molecules
To consistently produce healthy cells, the cell cycle—the process that generates daughter cells—must be precisely regulated.
02:39Positive Regulator Molecules
Mitotic cell division results in daughter cells that exactly resemble the parent cell. However, errors in the DNA replication or distribution of genetic material may lead to genetic mutations that may be passed down to every new cell formed from the resulting abnormal cell. Propagation of such mutant cells is restricted through checkpoint mechanisms present at different stages of the cell cycle. These checkpoints involve regulator molecules that either promote or demote cell cycle events.
01:23Negative Regulator Molecules
Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.