cell cycle
Introduction
Division of eukaryotic cells can be divided into 4 cell-cycle phases:
G1 phase (gap 1)
- the cell undergoes biochemical changes in preparation for S-phase
G2 phase (gap 2) -> preparatory phase for mitosis
M phase (mitosis)
The typical cycle of cultured cells lasts about 24 hours, although it can vary widely; S-phase (6 hr); M-phase (30 min); G1 (12 hr); G2 (6 hr).
Eukaryotic cells have evolved several checkpoints, that may be activated to prevent transition across cell-cycle phases. In this manner, a normal cell can ensure that DNA synthesis is not initiated or continued under adverse or inappropriate conditions. A case in point is the p53-mediated inhibition of the cell cycle in response to DNA damage. (see slide DNA damage inhibits progression through the cell cycle/p53)
Cyclins A, B, C, D & E in conjunction with cyclin-dependent kinases orchestrate the progression through the cell cycle. The cyclins & cyclin-dependent kinases are, in turn, regulated by proteins involved in cell-cycle checkpoints.
More general terms
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Additional terms
Components
References
- ↑ Cordon-Cardo C. Mutations of cell cycle regulators. Biological and clinical implications for human neoplasia. Am J Pathol. 1995 Sep;147(3):545-60. Review. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7677168
- ↑ Kastan & Skapek, Molecular Biology of Cancer; the cell cycle, In: Cancer, Principles & Practice of Oncology, 6th edition, DeVita et al (eds), Lippincott & Williams, Philadelpha, 2001, pg 91