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Positive Regulator Molecules

Positive Regulator Molecules

To consistently produce healthy cells, the cell cycle—the process that generates daughter cells—must be precisely regulated.

Positive Regulator Molecules

Positive 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.

The Cell Cycle Control System

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...

The Cell Cycle Control System

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...

M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis

M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis

Checkpoints throughout the cell cycle serve as safeguards and gatekeepers, allowing the cell cycle to progress in favorable conditions and slow or halt it in problematic ones. This regulation is known as the cell cycle control system.
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 18, 2026

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

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

Published on: June 6, 2017

Bistable switches as integrators and actuators during cell cycle progression.

Wayne Stallaert¹, Katarzyna M Kedziora¹, Hui Xiao Chao¹

¹Department of Genetics, Computational Medicine Program, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

|October 1, 2019

Summary

Cell cycle progression relies on bistable switches, which act as information hubs. These molecular circuits ensure robust and flexible cell cycle entry, responding to various signals.

Keywords:

DNA damage bistability cell cycle cell signaling

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Area of Science:

Molecular biology
Cellular dynamics
Systems biology

Background:

Cell cycle progression is regulated by molecular circuits known as bistable switches.
Understanding how cells integrate diverse molecular signals to activate these switches remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how bistable switches function as information processing hubs.
To examine the role of signal variability, competition, and inheritance in timing cell cycle entry via the Rb-E2F switch.

Main Methods:

Analysis of molecular circuits governing cell cycle transitions.
Investigating the Rb-E2F bistable switch mechanism.
Modeling information integration by bistable switches.

Main Results:

Bistable switches integrate multiple molecular signals to control cell cycle entry.
Variability, competition, and inheritance of signals influence the timing of the Rb-E2F switch.
These switches provide robustness and plasticity to cell cycle progression.

Conclusions:

Bistable switches are critical information processing hubs in cell cycle regulation.
They ensure ordered and complete cell cycle events while allowing adaptation to environmental changes.
The Rb-E2F switch timing is modulated by signal dynamics, conferring adaptability.