Cyclin B2-null mice develop normally and are fertile whereas cyclin B1-null mice die in utero.
Two B-type cyclins, B1 and B2, have been identified in mammals. Proliferating cells express both cyclins, which bind to and activate p34(cdc2). To test whether the two B-type cyclins have distinct roles, we generated lines of transgenic mice, one lacking cyclin B1 and the other lacking cyclin B2. Cyclin B1 proved to be an essential gene; no homozygous B1-null pups were born. In contrast, nullizygous B2 mice developed normally and did not display any obvious abnormalities. Both male and female cyclin B2-null mice were fertile, which was unexpected in view of the high levels and distinct patterns of expression of cyclin B2 during spermatogenesis. We show that the expression of cyclin B1 overlaps the expression of cyclin B2 in the mature testis, but not vice versa. Cyclin B1 can be found both on intracellular membranes and free in the cytoplasm, in contrast to cyclin B2, which is membrane-associated. These observations suggest that cyclin B1 may compensate for the loss of cyclin B2 in the mutant mice, and implies that cyclin B1 is capable of targeting the p34(cdc2) kinase to the essential substrates of cyclin B2.
Brandeis
M
M
Department of Genetics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat-Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
Rosewell
I
I
Carrington
M
M
Crompton
T
T
Jacobs
M A
MA
Kirk
J
J
Gannon
J
J
Hunt
T
T
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D019976:Cloning, Organism; D019926:Cyclin B / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D056744:Cyclin B1; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics*; D005313:Fetal Death; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010802:Phylogeny; D011247:Pregnancy; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism
C534699:CCNB1 protein, human; C534700:Ccnb1 protein, mouse; D019926:Cyclin B; D056744:Cyclin B1