Analyzing the G2/M checkpoint.
The G2 checkpoint prevents cells from entering mitosis when DNA is damaged, providing an opportunity for repair and stopping the proliferation of damaged cells. Because the G2 checkpoint helps to maintain genomic stability, it is an important focus in understanding the molecular causes of cancer. Many different methods have been used to investigate the G2 checkpoint and uncover some of the underlying mechanisms. Because cell-cycle controls are highly conserved, a remarkable synergy between the genetic power of model organisms and biochemical analyses is possible and has uncovered control mechanisms that operate in many diverse species, including humans. Cdc2, the cyclin-dependent kinase that normally drives cells into mitosis, is an important target of pathways that mediate rapid arrest in G2 in response to DNA damage. Additional pathways ensure that the arrest is stably maintained. When mammalian cells contain damaged DNA, the p53 tumor suppressor and the Rb family of transcriptional repressors work together to downregulate a large number of genes that encode proteins required for G2 and M. Elimination of these essential cell cycle proteins helps to keep the cells arrested in G2.
Stark
George R
GR
Department of Molecular Biology, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, USA.
Taylor
William R
WR
D000818:Animals; D016203:CDC2 Protein Kinase / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D016195:G2 Phase; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation; D008938:Mitosis; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D010766:Phosphorylation; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism
D002843:Chromatin; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D016203:CDC2 Protein Kinase