Coupling the cell cycle to development

Development. 2009 Sep;136(17):2861-72. doi: 10.1242/dev.021931.

Abstract

The core machinery that drives the eukaryotic cell cycle has been thoroughly investigated over the course of the past three decades. It is only more recently, however, that light has been shed on the mechanisms by which elements of this core machinery are modulated to alter cell cycle progression during development. It has also become increasingly clear that, conversely, core cell cycle regulators can play a crucial role in developmental processes. Here, focusing on findings from Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans, we review the importance of modulating the cell cycle during development and discuss how core cell cycle regulators participate in determining cell fates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle / physiology*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / genetics
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / metabolism
  • Cyclins / genetics
  • Cyclins / metabolism
  • Embryonic Development / physiology
  • Eukaryotic Cells / physiology
  • Growth and Development*

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cyclins
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases