Signaling pathways that regulate cell division

Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2012 Oct 1;4(10):a005942. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a005942.

Abstract

Cell division requires careful orchestration of three major events: entry into mitosis, chromosomal segregation, and cytokinesis. Signaling within and between the molecules that control these events allows for their coordination via checkpoints, a specific class of signaling pathways that ensure the dependency of cell-cycle events on the successful completion of preceding events. Multiple positive- and negative-feedback loops ensure that a cell is fully committed to division and that the events occur in the proper order. Unlike other signaling pathways, which integrate external inputs to decide whether to execute a given process, signaling at cell division is largely dedicated to completing a decision made in G1 phase-to initiate and complete a round of mitotic cell division. Instead of deciding if the events of cell division will take place, these signaling pathways entrain these events to the activation of the cell-cycle kinase cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and provide the opportunity for checkpoint proteins to arrest cell division if things go wrong.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • CDC2 Protein Kinase / metabolism
  • CDC2 Protein Kinase / physiology
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / physiology*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / physiology
  • Cell Division / genetics
  • Cell Division / physiology*
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA Replication
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • Models, Biological*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • CDC2 Protein Kinase