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Updated: Oct 16, 2025

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Published on: October 27, 2011
Dbf4-Dependent Kinase: DDK-ated to post-initiation events in DNA replication
Andrew Dolson1, Safia Mahabub Sauty1, Kholoud Shaban1
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
Dbf4-Dependent Kinase (DDK) has a well-established essential role at origins of DNA replication, where it phosphorylates and activates the replicative MCM helicase. It also acts in the response to mutagens and in DNA repair as well as in key steps during meiosis. Recent studies have indicated that, in addition to the MCM helicase, DDK phosphorylates several substrates during the elongation stage of DNA replication or upon replication stress. However, these activities of DDK are not essential for viability. Dbf4-Dependent Kinase is also emerging as a key factor in the regulation of genome-wide origin firing and in replication-coupled chromatin assembly. In this review, we summarize recent progress in our understanding of the diverse roles of DDK.
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