The Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) Activating Kinase (CAK) is responsible for the activating phosphorylation of CDK1, CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6 and regulation of the cell cycle. The kinase is composed of three subunits: CDK7, Cyclin H and MAT1 (ménage a trois). Together with six other subunits, CAK is also part of the general transcription factor TFIIH where it is involved in promoter clearance and progression of transcription from the preinitiation to the initiation stage. CAK is required for cell cycle progression, which suggests that CDK7 could be a target for cancer therapy. However its role in transcription and its ubiquitous presence raise sensible concerns about possible toxicity of its inhibitors. The recently determined structure of CDK7 allows the design of inhibitors with differential specificity for the different CDKs. We review the role of CAK in different biological processes and evaluate the biological evidence for CDK7 as a possible pharmacological target.

CAK—Cyclin-Dependent Activating Kinase: A Key Kinase in Cell Cycle Control and a Target for Drugs? / Lolli, Graziano; Louise N., Johnson. - In: CELL CYCLE. - ISSN 1538-4101. - 4:(2005), pp. 565-570. [10.4161/cc.4.4.1607]

CAK—Cyclin-Dependent Activating Kinase: A Key Kinase in Cell Cycle Control and a Target for Drugs?

LOLLI, GRAZIANO;
2005-01-01

Abstract

The Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) Activating Kinase (CAK) is responsible for the activating phosphorylation of CDK1, CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6 and regulation of the cell cycle. The kinase is composed of three subunits: CDK7, Cyclin H and MAT1 (ménage a trois). Together with six other subunits, CAK is also part of the general transcription factor TFIIH where it is involved in promoter clearance and progression of transcription from the preinitiation to the initiation stage. CAK is required for cell cycle progression, which suggests that CDK7 could be a target for cancer therapy. However its role in transcription and its ubiquitous presence raise sensible concerns about possible toxicity of its inhibitors. The recently determined structure of CDK7 allows the design of inhibitors with differential specificity for the different CDKs. We review the role of CAK in different biological processes and evaluate the biological evidence for CDK7 as a possible pharmacological target.
2005
Lolli, Graziano; Louise N., Johnson
CAK—Cyclin-Dependent Activating Kinase: A Key Kinase in Cell Cycle Control and a Target for Drugs? / Lolli, Graziano; Louise N., Johnson. - In: CELL CYCLE. - ISSN 1538-4101. - 4:(2005), pp. 565-570. [10.4161/cc.4.4.1607]
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11572/284430
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 73
  • Scopus 165
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 161
social impact