A confederacy of kinases: Cdk2 and Cdk4 conspire to control embryonic cell proliferation.
The mouse embryo is surprisingly resistant to loss of individual cyclins or cyclin-dependent kinases. In a recent issue of Developmental Cell, Berthet et al. (2006) describe collaboration of Cdk2 and Cdk4 in embryogenesis that is revealed only upon their simultaneous loss, resulting in inappropriate activation of the retinoblastoma protein and embryonic lethality.
Hinds
Philip W
PW
Department of Radiation Oncology, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051357:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout
C495893:Cdk2 protein, mouse; C495902:Cdk4 protein, mouse; D051357:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4