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The Cell Cycle: Principles of Control
By David O Morgan

Contents

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Institutional subscriptions also available

Updates - 2007-2008 update now available
We have new sections for this text - read more about these here or go straight to 2007-2008 updates on stem cells.
Contents in Brief:
Chapter 1 The Cell Cycle
Chapter 2 Model Organisms in Cell-Cycle Analysis
Chapter 3 The Cell-Cycle Control System
Chapter 4 Chromosome Duplication
Chapter 5 Early Mitosis: Preparing the Chromosomes for Segregation
Chapter 6 Assembly of the Mitotic Spindle
Chapter 7 The Completion of Mitosis
Chapter 8 Cytokinesis
Chapter 9 Meiosis
Chapter 10 Control of Cell Proliferation and Growth
Chapter 11 The DNA Damage Response
Chapter 12 The Cell Cycle in Cancer
Acknowledgements
Glossary
Updated References
Updates:
Stem cells
  

Chapter 1: The Cell Cycle [PDF]   

1-0 Overview: Cell Reproduction [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cell reproduction is a fundamental feature of all living things
-Cells reproduce in discrete steps
-The ordering of cell-cycle events is governed by an independent control system

1-1 Events of the Eukaryotic Cell Cycle [Full Text] [PDF]
-Chromosome duplication and segregation occur in distinct cell-cycle phases that are usually separated by gap phases
-Cytoplasmic components are duplicated throughout the cell cycle
-Cell growth is usually coordinated with cell division

1-2 Variations in Cell-Cycle Organization [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cell-cycle structure varies in different cells and organisms
-Multiple rounds of chromosome duplication or segregation can occur in the same cell cycle
-The symmetry of cell division varies in different cell types

1-3 The Cell-Cycle Control System [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cell-cycle events are governed by an independent control system
-The cell-cycle control system is based on oscillations in the activities of cyclin-dependent protein kinases
-Cell-cycle events are initiated at three regulatory checkpoints
-Cell-cycle progression in most cells can be blocked at checkpoints


Chapter 2: Model Organisms in Cell-Cycle Analysis [PDF]    Back to top

2-0 Overview: Cell-Cycle Analysis in Diverse Eukaryotes [Full Text] [PDF]
-Mechanisms of cell-cycle control are similar in all eukaryotes
-Budding and fission yeasts provide powerful systems for the genetic analysis of eukaryotic cell-cycle control
-Early animal embryos are useful for the biochemical characterization of simple cell cycles
-Control of cell division in multicellular organisms can be dissected genetically in Drosophila
-Cultured cell lines provide a means of analyzing cell-cycle control in mammals

2-1 Life Cycles of Budding and Fission Yeasts [Full Text] [PDF]
-Budding yeast and fission yeast divide by different mechanisms
-Yeast cells alternate between haploid and diploid states and undergo sporulation in response to starvation

2-2 Genetic Analysis of Cell-Cycle Control in Yeast [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cell biological processes are readily dissected with yeast genetic methods
-Conditional mutants are used to analyze essential cell-cycle processes
-Homologous genes have different names in fission yeast and budding yeast

2-3 The Early Embryo of Xenopus laevis [Full Text] [PDF]
-The early embryonic divisions of Xenopus provide a simplified system for cell-cycle analysis
-Unfertilized eggs develop from diploid oocytes by meiosis
-The early embryonic cell cycle can be reconstituted in a test tube

2-4 The Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster [Full Text] [PDF]
-Drosophila allows genetic analysis of cell-cycle control in metazoans
-Cells of the early Drosophila embryo divide by a simplified cell cycle
-Gap phases are introduced in late embryogenesis
-Adult fly structures develop from imaginal cells

2-5 Mammalian Cell-Cycle Analysis [Full Text] [PDF]
-Mammalian cell-cycle control can be analyzed in cells growing in culture
-Mutations lead to immortalization and transformation of mammalian cells
-Specific gene disruption is the ideal approach for assessing protein function in mammalian cells

2-6 Methods in Cell-Cycle Analysis [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cell-cycle position can be assessed by many approaches
-Cell populations can be synchronized at specific cell-cycle stages
-Complete understanding of cell-cycle control mechanisms requires the analysis of protein structure and enzymatic behavior


Chapter 3: The Cell-Cycle Control System [PDF]    Back to top

3-0 Overview:The Cell-Cycle Control System [Full Text] [PDF]
-The cell-cycle control system is a complex assembly of oscillating protein kinase activities
-Multiple regulatory mechanisms govern Cdk activity during the cell cycle
-The cell-cycle control system generates robust, switch-like and adaptable changes in Cdk activity

3-1 Cyclin-Dependent Kinases [Full Text] [PDF]
-The cyclin-dependent kinases are a small family of enzymes that require cyclin subunits for activity
-The active site of cyclin-dependent kinases is blocked in the absence of cyclin

3-2 Cyclins [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cyclins are the key determinants of Cdk activity and can be classified in four groups
-Cyclins contain a conserved helical core

3-3 Control of Cdk Activity by Phosphorylation [Full Text] [PDF]
-Full Cdk activity requires phosphorylation by the Cdk-activating kinase
-Cdk function is regulated by inhibitory phosphorylation by Wee1 and dephosphorylation by Cdc25

3-4 The Structural Basis of Cdk Activation [Full Text] [PDF]
-The conformation of the Cdk active site is dramatically rearranged by cyclin binding and phosphorylation by CAK

3-5 Substrate Targeting by Cyclin–Cdk Complexes [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cyclins are specialized for particular functions
-Cyclins can interact directly with the substrates of the associated Cdk
-Cyclins can direct the associated Cdk to specific subcellular locations
-Cks1 may serve as an adaptor protein that targets Cdks to phosphoproteins

3-6 Cdk Regulation by Inhibitory Subunits [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cdk inhibitors help suppress Cdk activity in G1
-Cip/Kip proteins bind both subunits of the cyclin–Cdk complex
-G1–Cdks are activated by Cip/Kip proteins and inhibited by INK4 proteins

3-7 Biochemical Switches in Signaling Systems [Full Text] [PDF]
-Components of the cell-cycle control system are assembled into biochemical switches
-Switch-like behavior can be generated by various mechanisms
-Bistability is required for an effective binary switch

3-8 Switch-Like Activation of Cdk1 [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cdk1 activation at mitosis is based on positive feedback
-Cdk switches are robust as a result of multiple partly redundant mechanisms

3-9 Protein Degradation in Cell-Cycle Control [Full Text] [PDF]
-Many cell-cycle regulators are destroyed by ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis
-SCF catalyzes ubiquitination of phosphorylated substrates using interchangeable substrate-targeting subunits

3-10 The Anaphase-Promoting Complex [Full Text] [PDF]
-The APC initiates anaphase and mitotic exit
-Cdc20 activates the APC in anaphase
-APC activity is maintained in G1 by Cdh1
-APC targets contain specific recognition sequences

3-11 Assembling and Regulating a Cell-Cycle Oscillator [Full Text] [PDF]
-Negative feedback can generate a repeating oscillator
-Regulated braking mechanisms allow the Cdk oscillator to be paused in G1

3-12 Transcriptional Control of Cell-Cycle Regulators [Full Text] [PDF]
-A sequential program of gene expression contributes to cell-cycle control
-Expression of a large fraction of the genes in the yeast genome is regulated during the cell cycle
-Key gene regulatory proteins in yeast are activated at the major cell-cycle transitions
-The E2F family controls cell-cycle-dependent changes in gene expression in metazoans

3-13 Programming the Cell-Cycle Control System [Full Text] [PDF]
-The order of cell-cycle events is determined by regulatory interactions between multiple oscillators
-The cell-cycle control system is responsive to many external inputs


Chapter 4: Chromosome Duplication [PDF]    Back to top

4-0 Overview: Chromosome Duplication and its Control [Full Text] [PDF]
-DNA synthesis begins at replication origins
-The cell-cycle control system activates replication origins only once in each S phase
-Chromosome duplication requires duplication of chromatin structure

4-1 Basic Mechanisms of DNA Synthesis [Full Text] [PDF]
-The two strands of DNA are replicated by different mechanisms
-DNA replication begins with origin unwinding and primer synthesis
-Discontinuous DNA fragments are joined together by DNA ligase
-Telomerase synthesizes DNA at chromosome ends

4-2 The Replication Origin [Full Text] [PDF]
-Replication origins in budding yeast contain well defined DNA sequences
-Replication origins in animal chromosomes are defined by several factors in addition to DNA sequence

4-3 Assembly of the Prereplicative Complex at the Replication Origin [Full Text] [PDF]
-The replication origin interacts with a multisubunit protein complex
-The ORC and accessory proteins load the Mcm helicase onto origins
-Mcm loading involves ATP-dependent protein remodeling

4-4 Regulation of the Prereplicative Complex [Full Text] [PDF]
-Assembly of prereplicative complexes is restricted to G1 by multiple mechanisms
-Prereplicative complex components are destroyed or inhibited in yeast as a result of Cdk activity
-Pre-RC assembly is controlled in animals by both Cdks and the APC

4-5 Cyclins Required for Activation of Replication Origins in Yeast [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cdks and Cdc7 trigger the initiation of DNA replication
-In budding yeast, the cyclins Clb5 and Clb6 are key activators of replication origins
-Yeast cells lacking S cyclins can replicate their DNA

4-6 Cyclins Required for Activation of Replication Origins in Metazoans [Full Text] [PDF]
-Different cyclins control initiation of DNA replication in different stages of animal development
-Cyclin A is a major regulator of replication initiation in cultured mammalian cells
-DNA replication in frog embryos is triggered by cyclin E-Cdk2
-Cyclin E–Cdk2 is a major regulator of DNA replication in Drosophila

4-7 Control of Replication by the Protein Kinase Cdc7–Dbf4 [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cdc7 triggers the activation of replication origins
-Cdc7 is activated during S phase by the regulatory subunit Dbf4
-Dbf4 levels are regulated by multiple mechanisms

4-8 Activation of the Replication Origin [Full Text] [PDF]
-Replication begins with DNA unwinding at the origin
-Late-firing origins are regulated independently
-Replication must be completed before chromosome segregation occurs

4-9 Basic Chromatin Structure [Full Text] [PDF]
-Chromatin is complex and dynamic
-The basic unit of chromatin structure is the nucleosome
-Higher-order chromatin structure is also controlled by non-histone proteins, histone H1 and histone modifications

4-10 Histone Synthesis in S phase [Full Text] [PDF]
-Histone synthesis rises sharply during S phase
-Transcription of histone genes increases in S phase
-Histone mRNA processing and stability increase in S phase
-The level of free histones in the cell acts as a signal to link histone synthesis to DNA synthesis

4-11 Nucleosome Assembly on Nascent DNA [Full Text] [PDF]
-Nucleosomes are distributed to both new DNA strands behind the replication fork
-Nucleosome assembly factors load histones on nascent DNA

4-12 Heterochromatin at Telomeres and Centromeres [Full Text] [PDF]
-Heterochromatin is inherited by epigenetic mechanisms
-Telomeres are packaged in a heritable heterochromatin structure
-The centromere nucleates a heritable and poorly understood form of heterochromatin

4-13 Molecular Mechanisms of Heterochromatin Duplication [Full Text] [PDF]
-Duplication of heterochromatin structure involves proteins that recognize and promote localized histone modification
-The Sir proteins form a heritable polymer at telomeres in budding yeast
-HP1 may nucleate heritable chromatin structure at the centromere and other regions
-Sister-chromatid cohesion in S phase prepares the cell for mitosis


Chapter 5: Early Mitosis: Preparing the Chromosomes for Segregation [PDF]    Back to top

5-0 Overview: The Events of Mitosis [Full Text] [PDF]
-The central events of mitosis are sister-chromatid separation and segregation
-The events of early mitosis set the stage for sister-chromatid segregation
-The completion of mitosis begins with sister-chromatid segregation

5-1 Overview: Principles of Mitotic Regulation [Full Text] [PDF]
-Phosphorylation and proteolysis control progression through mitosis
-Mitotic events must go to completion
-Mitotic entry and exit are major regulatory transitions with differing importance in different species

5-2 Cyclins that Promote Mitotic Entry in Yeast [Full Text] [PDF]
-cyclin–Cdk complexes trigger mitotic entry in all eukaryotes
-Fission yeast cells trigger mitosis with a single mitotic cyclin
-Two pairs of mitotic cyclins control budding yeast mitosis

5-3 Cyclins that Promote Mitotic Entry in Metazoans [Full Text] [PDF]
-Mitosis in metazoans is governed by cyclins A and B
-Vertebrate mitosis is driven by multiple forms of cyclins A and B
-The active cyclin B1–Cdk1 complex moves from cytoplasm to nucleus in late prophase
-Vertebrate cyclins A and B drive different mitotic events

5-4 Regulation of Mitotic Cdks by Wee1 and Cdc25 [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cyclin B–Cdk1 complexes are activated rapidly in early M phase by dephosphorylation
-Multiple Wee1-related kinases and Cdc25-related phosphatases govern Cdk1 activity in animal cells

5-5 Switch-like Activation of Cyclin B–Cdk1 at Mitosis [Full Text] [PDF]
-Mitotic Cdk1 activation involves multiple positive feedback loops
-Cdc25B and cyclin A–Cdk help trigger cyclin B–Cdk1 activation

5-6 Subcellular Localization of Mitotic Regulators [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cyclin B1–Cdk1 is regulated by changes in its subcellular localization
-Cyclin B1–Cdk1 location is controlled by phosphorylation of cyclin B1
-Cdc25C localization is regulated by phosphorylation
-Cyclin B1–Cdk1 activation and nuclear accumulation are partly interdependent

5-7 Protein Kinases of the Polo and Aurora Families [Full Text] [PDF]
-Polo-like kinases (Plks) help control spindle assembly and mitotic exit
-Spindle function and sister-chromatid segregation are controlled in part by aurora kinases

5-8 Preparations for Mitosis: Sister-Chromatid Cohesion [Full Text] [PDF]
-Sister chromatids are held together by two mechanisms
-Cohesin is a key mediator of sister-chromatid cohesion
-Cohesion is established during DNA replication
-DNA decatenation prepares sister chromatids for separation

5-9 Entry into Mitosis: Sister-Chromatid Condensation and Resolution [Full Text] [PDF]
-Chromosomes are dramatically reorganized in mitosis
-Condensin complexes drive chromosome condensation and resolution

5-10 Regulation of Chromosome Condensation and Resolution [Full Text] [PDF]
-Mitotic Cdks act on condensin to govern the timing of chromosome condensation
-Sister-chromatid resolution is governed by Plk and aurora B in animal cells


Chapter 6: Assembly of the Mitotic Spindle [PDF]    Back to top

6-0 Overview: The Mitotic Spindle [Full Text] [PDF]
-Chromosome segregation depends on the mitotic spindle
-The mitotic spindle must be bipolar
-Multiple mechanisms drive spindle assembly

6-1 Microtubule Structure and Behavior [Full Text] [PDF]
-Microtubules are polymers of tubulin subunits
-Microtubules exhibit dynamic instability

6-2 Microtubule Nucleation, Stability and Motility [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cellular microtubules originate on preformed protein complexes that are usually concentrated in a microtubule-organizing center
-Microtubule dynamics are governed by a variety of stabilizing and destabilizing proteins
-Motor proteins move along microtubules

6-3 The Centrosome and the Spindle Pole Body [Full Text] [PDF]
-The centrosome cycle resembles the chromosome cycle
-Centrosome behavior is determined by the centrioles
-The yeast spindle pole body is embedded in the nuclear envelope

6-4 Control of Centrosome Duplication [Full Text] [PDF]
-Duplication of the centrosome and spindle pole body is initiated in late G1 by G1/S–Cdks
-Centrosome duplication normally occurs once per cell cycle

6-5 The Kinetochore [Full Text] [PDF]
-The kinetochore is the major site of microtubule–chromosome attachment
-The kinetochore provides a stable attachment to a dynamic microtubule plus end

6-6 Early Steps in Spindle Assembly [Full Text] [PDF]
-Spindle assembly begins in prophase
-Mitotic microtubules are highly dynamic
-Centrosome separation initiates spindle assembly
-Centrosome maturation increases microtubule nucleation in mitosis

6-7 Nuclear Envelope Breakdown [Full Text] [PDF]
-The nuclear envelope is composed of two membranes on an underlying protein support
-Nuclear envelope breakdown begins at nuclear pores
-The endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus are reorganized in mitosis

6-8 Mitotic Chromosome Function in Spindle Assembly [Full Text] [PDF]
-Spindles self-organize around chromosomes
-Microtubules can be stabilized by a gradient of Ran–GTP around chromosomes

6-9 Attachment of Sister Chromatids to the Spindle [Full Text] [PDF]
-Centrosomes search for and capture kinetochores in prometaphase
-Some kinetochore microtubules originate at the kinetochore
-Chromosome attachment results in tension between sister kinetochores

6-10 Bi-Orientation of Sister Chromatids [Full Text] [PDF]
-Kinetochore–microtubule attachment is stabilized by tension
-Aurora B is required for the correction of syntelic attachments
-Merotelic attachments are processed by multiple mechanisms

6-11 Forces Driving Chromosome Movement [Full Text] [PDF]
-Multiple forces act on chromosomes in the spindle
-The kinetochore is a major source of poleward force
-Microtubule flux generates poleward force
-A polar ejection force is generated by chromosome arms

6-12 Chromosome Congression [Full Text] [PDF]
-Chromosome oscillations in prometaphase are generated by changes in the state of kinetochores
-Microtubule flux may promote chromosome congression


Chapter 7: The Completion of Mitosis [PDF]    Back to top

7-0 Overview: The Completion of Mitosis [Full Text] [PDF]
-The final events of mitosis occur in anaphase and telophase
-The metaphase-to-anaphase transition is initiated by ubiquitination and destruction of regulatory proteins
-Dephosphorylation of Cdk targets drives the events of late M phase
-APCCdc20 initiates Cdk inactivation

7-1 Initiation of Anaphase: Activation of the APC [Full Text] [PDF]
-APCCdc20 activation in early mitosis is essential for anaphase to occur
-Phosphorylation promotes APCCdc20 activation in early mitosis

7-2 Initiation of Anaphase: The Spindle Checkpoint [Full Text] [PDF]
-Unattached kinetochores generate a signal that prevents anaphase
-The spindle checkpoint monitors defects in microtubule attachment and kinetochore tension

7-3 Inhibition of APC(Cdc20) by the Spindle Checkpoint [Full Text] [PDF]
-Unattached kinetochores catalyze the formation of inhibitory signaling complexes
-The spindle checkpoint signal is rapidly turned off once kinetochores are attached

7-4 Control of Sister-Chromatid Separation [Full Text] [PDF]
-Separase is inhibited before anaphase by securin
-In vertebrate cells Cdk1 inhibits separase by phosphorylation

7-5 Control of Late Mitosis in Budding Yeast [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cdk inactivation in mitosis in budding yeast is not due to APCCdc20 alone
-The protein phosphatase Cdc14 is required to complete mitosis in budding yeast

7-6 Control of Anaphase Events [Full Text] [PDF]
-The anaphase spindle segregates the chromosomes
-Dephosphorylation of Cdk targets governs anaphase spindle behavior

7-7 Control of Telophase [Full Text] [PDF]
-Dephosphorylation of Cdk substrates drives the final steps of mitosis
-Spindle disassembly is the central event of telophase
-Nuclear envelope assembly begins around individual chromosomes


Chapter 8: Cytokinesis [PDF]    Back to top

8-0 Overview: Cytokinesis [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cytokinesis distributes daughter nuclei into separate cells
-Cytokinesis depends on a contractile ring and membrane deposition
-The cleavage plane is positioned between the daughter nuclei
-The timing of cytokinesis is coordinated with the completion of mitosis

8-1 The Actin–Myosin Ring [Full Text] [PDF]
-Bundles of actin assemble at the site of division
-Force is generated in the contractile ring by non-muscle myosin II
-Actin filament formation depends on formins

8-2 Assembly and Contraction of the Actin–Myosin Ring [Full Text] [PDF]
-Contractile ring function depends on accessory factors whose importance varies in different species
-Contraction of the actin–myosin ring is regulated by activation of myosin II
-The GTPase Rho controls actin and myosin behavior at the cleavage site

8-3 Membrane and Cell Wall Deposition at the Division Site [Full Text] [PDF]
-Membrane deposition is required during cytokinesis
-Membrane addition occurs in parallel with actin–myosin contraction

8-4 The Positioning and Timing of Cytokinesis in Yeast [Full Text] [PDF]
-Preparations for cytokinesis in budding yeast begin in late G1
-Fission yeast uses the nucleus to mark the division site in early mitosis

8-5 The Positioning and Timing of Cytokinesis in Animal Cells [Full Text] [PDF]
-Signals from the mitotic spindle determine the site of cleavage in animal cells
-Multiple regulatory components at the central spindle help control cytokinesis
-Cytokinesis is coordinated with mitosis by the spindle and Cdk1 inactivation

8-6 Specialization of Cytokinesis in Animal Development [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cytokinesis can be blocked or incomplete in some stages of development
-Cellularization is a specialized form of cytokinesis

8-7 Asymmetric Cell Division [Full Text] [PDF]
-Asymmetric spindle positioning leads to daughter cells of unequal sizes
-Unequal forces on the poles underlie asymmetric spindle positioning
-The orientation of cell division is controlled by the mitotic spindle


Chapter 9: Meiosis [PDF]    Back to top

9-0 Overview: Meiosis [Full Text] [PDF]
-Sexual reproduction is based on the fusion of haploid cells
-The meiotic program involves two rounds of chromosome segregation
-Homologous recombination is an important feature of meiosis
-Defects in meiosis lead to aneuploidy

9-1 Regulation of Early Meiotic Events in Yeast [Full Text] [PDF]
-The meiotic program is controlled at multiple checkpoints
-The transcription factor Ime1 initiates the budding yeast meiotic program
-Entry into the meiotic program is driven by the protein kinase Ime2

9-2 Homologous Recombination in Meiosis [Full Text] [PDF]
-Homologous recombination is a central feature of meiotic prophase

9-3 Homolog Pairing in Meiotic Prophase [Full Text] [PDF]
-Stages of meiotic prophase are defined by cytological landmarks
-Homolog pairing occurs in two successive stages

9-4 Chiasma Formation in Late Meiotic Prophase [Full Text] [PDF]
-A small number of recombination sites are selected for crossover formation in zygotene
-Crossover sites nucleate the synaptonemal complex in some species
-Chiasmata appear in diplotene

9-5 Controlling Entry into the First Meiotic Division [Full Text] [PDF]
-Meiosis I is initiated by M–Cdk activity
-Entry into the first meiotic division of animal cells is controlled in diplotene
-Ndt80 and Cdk1 promote entry into the meiotic divisions of budding yeast
-Recombination defects block entry into meiosis I

9-6 Chromosome Attachment in Meiosis I [Full Text] [PDF]
-Homolog pairs are bi-oriented on the first meiotic spindle
-Homolog bi-orientation depends on cohesion of sister-chromatid arms
-Homolog linkage does not involve chiasmata in some species

9-7 Chromosome Segregation in Meiosis I [Full Text] [PDF]
-Loss of sister-chromatid arm cohesion initiates anaphase I
-The spindle checkpoint system helps control anaphase I
-Centromeric cohesin is protected from cleavage in meiosis I

9-8 Finishing Meiosis [Full Text] [PDF]
-Meiosis I is followed by meiosis II
-Partial Cdk1 inactivation occurs after meiosis I
-The meiotic program is coordinated with gametogenesis


Chapter 10: Control of Cell Proliferation and Growth [PDF]    Back to top

10-0 Overview: Control of Cell Proliferation and Growth [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cell proliferation is controlled at a checkpoint in late G1
-Progression through Start depends on an irreversible wave of Cdk activity
-Progression through Start requires changes in gene expression
-Cell division is often coordinated with cell growth

10-1 Activation of Gene Expression at Start in Budding Yeast [Full Text] [PDF]
-The gene regulatory proteins SBF and MBF drive expression of Start-specific genes in yeast
-SBF and MBF are activated by Cln3–Cdk1 at Start
-Small changes in the amount of Cln3 help trigger cell-cycle entry
-SBF and MBF are inactivated in S phase by Clb–Cdk1 complexes

10-2 Activation of S–Cdks in Budding Yeast [Full Text] [PDF]
-G1/S–Cdks promote activation of S–Cdks
-Multisite phosphorylation of Sic1 generates switch-like S–Cdk activation
-G1/S– and S–Cdks collaborate to inactivate APCCdh1 after Start

10-3 Extracellular Control of Start in Yeast: Mating Factor Signaling [Full Text] [PDF]
-Yeast mating factors induce cell-cycle arrest in G1
-Far1 has multiple functions in proliferating and arrested cells
-Far1 phosphorylation is triggered by a G-protein signaling pathway

10-4 Activation of Gene Expression at Start in Animals [Full Text] [PDF]
-E2F transcription factors help control G1/S gene expression in animals
-Stimulation of G1/S gene expression results from a combination of increased gene activation and decreased gene repression
-E2F function is regulated by pRB proteins

10-5 Regulation of E2F–pRB Complexes [Full Text] [PDF]
-G1/S gene expression at Start involves the replacement of repressor E2Fs with activator E2Fs
-Phosphorylation of pRB proteins releases E2F
-Multiple mechanisms of E2F activation provide robust regulation of Start

10-6 Mitogenic Signaling in Animal Cells [Full Text] [PDF]
-Extracellular mitogens control the rate of cell division in animals
-Activated mitogen receptors recruit signaling complexes to the cell membrane
-Ras and Myc are components of many mitogenic signaling pathways
-Activation of PI3 kinase helps promote mitogenesis

10-7 Activation of G1–Cdks by Mitogens [Full Text] [PDF]
-Mitogenic signaling pathways lead to activation of cyclin D–Cdk complexes
-Mitogens control cyclin D–Cdk localization and destruction
-Mitogens and anti-mitogens control the concentrations of Cdk inhibitor proteins

10-8 Activation of G1/S– and S–Cdk Complexes in Animal Cells [Full Text] [PDF]
-G1/S–Cdk activation at Start depends on removal of the inhibitor p27
-Cyclin A–Cdk2 activation is promoted in part by APC inhibition

10-9 Developmental Control of Cell Proliferation [Full Text] [PDF]
-Developmental signals limit cell division to specific embryonic regions
-Embryonic divisions are limited by depletion of key cell-cycle regulators

10-10 Overview: Coordination of Cell Division and Cell Growth [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cell division and cell growth are separate processes
-Cell growth is regulated by extracellular nutrients and growth factors
-Cell growth and division are coordinated by multiple mechanisms
-The size of a cell depends on its genomic content

10-11 Control of Cell Growth [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cell growth rate is determined primarily by the rate of protein synthesis
-Extracellular nutrients and growth factors stimulate cell growth by activating the protein kinase TOR
-TOR affects cell growth mainly by stimulating protein synthesis
-Growth factors stimulate protein synthesis through the activation of PI3 kinase

10-12 Coordination of Cell Growth and Division in Yeast [Full Text] [PDF]
-Yeast cell growth and division are tightly coupled
-Yeast cells monitor translation rates as an indirect indicator of cell size
-Growth thresholds are rapidly adjustable

10-13 Coordination of Growth and Division in Animal Cells [Full Text] [PDF]
-Growth and division are coordinated by multiple mechanisms in animal cells
-Division depends on growth in many animal cell types
-Animal cell growth and division are sometimes controlled independently

10-14 Control of Cell Death [Full Text] [PDF]
-Animal cell numbers are determined by a balance of cell birth and death
-Survival factors suppress the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis
-DNA damage and other stresses can trigger apoptosis


Updates – 2007-2008    Back to top

Stem cells

U10-1 Stem-Cell Proliferation [Full Text] [PDF]
-The maintenance of many adult tissues depends on stem cells
-Two main mechanisms guide asymmetric stem-cell division

U10-2 Control of Asymmetric Stem-Cell Division [Full Text] [PDF]
-The stem-cell niche generates signals that promote stem-cell renewal
-Mitotic spindle position orients stem-cell division


Chapter 11: The DNA Damage Response [PDF]    Back to top

11-0 Overview: The DNA Damage Response [Full Text] [PDF]
-The DNA damage response helps maintain the genome
-ATR and ATM are conserved protein kinases at the heart of the DNA damage response
-Replication defects trigger a DNA damage response

11-1 Detection and Repair of DNA Damage [Full Text] [PDF]
-DNA can be damaged in many ways
-Base and nucleotide excision repair systems repair nucleotide damage
-Double-strand breaks are repaired by two main mechanisms

11-2 The DNA Damage Response: Recruitment of ATR and ATM [Full Text] [PDF]
-ATR is required for the response to multiple forms of damage
-ATM is specialized for the response to unprocessed double-strand breaks

11-3 The DNA Damage Response: Adaptors and Chk1 and Chk2 [Full Text] [PDF]
-Protein complexes assemble at DNA damage sites to coordinate DNA repair and the damage response
-A PCNA-like complex is required for the ATR-mediated damage response
-Adaptor proteins link DNA damage to activation of Chk1 and Chk2

11-4 Activation of p53 by DNA Damage [Full Text] [PDF]
-p53 is responsible for long-term inhibition of cell proliferation in animal cells
-The major regulators of p53 include Mdm2, p300 and ARF
-Damage-response kinases phosphorylate p53 and Mdm2

11-5 Effects of DNA Damage on Progression through Start [Full Text] [PDF]
-DNA damage blocks cell-cycle progression at multiple points
-DNA damage has minor effects on progression through Start in budding yeast
-DNA damage in vertebrate cells triggers a robust G1 arrest
-p53 has different effects in different cell types

11-6 Effects of DNA Damage at Replication Forks [Full Text] [PDF]
-A DNA damage response is initiated at replication forks during S phase
-ATR is the key initiator of the response to stalled replication forks
-The DNA damage response stabilizes the replication fork

11-7 Effects of DNA Damage on DNA Synthesis and Mitosis [Full Text] [PDF]
-DNA damage in S phase blocks replication origin firing
-DNA damage blocks mitotic entry in most eukaryotes
-DNA damage blocks anaphase in budding yeast

11-8 Responses to Mitogenic and Telomere Stress [Full Text] [PDF]
-Hyperproliferative signals trigger the activation of p53
-Imbalances in mitogenic stimuli promote replicative senescence in mouse cells
-Telomere degeneration promotes cell-cycle arrest in human cells


Chapter 12: The Cell Cycle in Cancer [PDF]    Back to top

12-0 Overview: Cell-Cycle Defects in Cancer [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cancer cells break the communal rules of tissues
-Cancer progression is an evolutionary process driven by gene mutation
-Genetic instability accelerates cancer progression

12-1 Gene Mutations that Drive Cancer [Full Text] [PDF]
-Mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressors stimulate tumor progression
-Oncogenes can be activated by many different mechanisms
-Multiple mutations are required to cripple tumor suppressor genes
-Cancer can be initiated by mechanisms other than gene mutation

12-2 Tissue Specificity in Cancer [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cancers are a complex group of diseases
-The molecular basis of tumorigenesis can vary in different tissues

12-3 Stimulation of Cell-Cycle Entry in Cancer Cells [Full Text] [PDF]
-Tumor cells are independent of mitogens and resistant to anti-mitogens
-G1/S gene regulation is defective in most cancers
-Multiple mitogenic defects are required for tumor formation

12-4 Cell Growth and Survival in Tumors [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cell growth is stimulated in tumors
-Tumor cells are less dependent than normal cells on survival factors
-Differentiation is often inhibited in tumor cells
-Tumor cells are resistant to the hyperproliferation stress response

12-5 Genetic Instability in Cancer [Full Text] [PDF]
-Most cancer cells have unstable genomes
-Defects in the DNA damage response promote genetic instability in cancer
-Genetic instability sometimes results from an increased rate of point mutation
-Chromosomal instability is the major form of genetic instability

12-6 Telomeres and the Structural Instability of Chromosomes [Full Text] [PDF]
-Defective DNA damage responses can lead to chromosomal instability
-Degenerating telomeres can lead to chromosomal instability

12-7 Instability in Chromosome Number [Full Text] [PDF]
-Cancer cells often become aneuploid through a tetraploid intermediate
-Cancer cells often contain excessive numbers of centrosomes
-Mutations in mitotic spindle components contribute to chromosomal instability

12-8 Cancer Progression [Full Text] [PDF]
-There are many genetic routes to a malignant cancer
-Colon cancer progression usually begins with mutations in the gene APC
-Two forms of genetic instability drive colorectal cancer progression

12-9 Stopping Cancer [Full Text] [PDF]
-Reducing cancer mortality begins with prevention and early diagnosis
-Therapies must kill cancer cells but leave healthy cells intact
-A detailed understanding of the molecular basis of cancer may lead to rational and more specific cancer therapies

Acknowledgements

Glossary [Full Text] [PDF]

Updated References [Full Text] [PDF]




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