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Fission yeast Csk1 is a CAK-activating kinase (CAKAK).

Cell cycle progression is dependent on the sequential activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). For full activity, CDKs require an activating phosphorylation of a conserved residue (corresponding to Thr160 in human CDK2) carried out by the CDK-activating kinase (CAK). Two distinct CAK kinases have been described: in budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Cak1/Civ1 kinase is responsible for CAK activity. In several other species including human, Xenopus, Drosophila and fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, CAK has been identified as a complex homologous to CDK7-cyclin H (Mcs6-Mcs2 in fission yeast). Here we identify the fission yeast Csk1 kinase as an in vivo activating kinase of the Mcs6-Mcs2 CAK defining Csk1 as a CAK-activating kinase (CAKAK).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inability to enter S phase and defective RNA polymerase II CTD phosphorylation in mice lacking Mat1.

The trimeric Cdk7-cyclin H-Mat1 complex comprises the kinase subunit of basal transcription factor TFIIH and has been shown to function as a cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk)-activating kinase. Herein we report that disruption of the murine Mat1 gene leads to peri-implantation lethality coincident with depletion of maternal Mat1 protein. In culture, Mat1(-/-) blastocysts gave rise to viable post-mitotic trophoblast giant cells while mitotic lineages failed to proliferate and survive. In contrast to wild-type trophoblast giant cells, Mat1(-/-) cells exhibited a rapid arrest in endoreduplication, which was characterized by an inability to enter S phase. Additionally, Mat1(-/-) cells exhibited defects in phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II on both Ser5 and Ser2 of the heptapeptide repeat. Despite this, Mat1(-/-) cells demonstrated apparent transcriptional and translational integrity. These data indicate an essential role for Mat1 in progression through the endocycle and suggest that while Mat1 modulates CTD phosphorylation, it does not appear to be essential for RNA polymerase II-mediated transcription.

Animals↗

Rapid analysis of gene expression (RAGE) facilitates universal expression profiling.

Current techniques for analysis of gene expression either monitor one gene at a time, for example northern hybridization or RT-PCR methods, or are designed for the simultaneous analysis of thousands of genes, for example microarray hybridization or serial analysis of gene expression. To provide a flexible, intermediate scale alternative, a PCR-based method for the rapid analysis of gene expression has been developed which allows expression changes to be determined in either a directed search of known genes, or an undirected survey of unknown genes. A single set of reagents and reaction conditions allows analyses of most genes in any eukaryote. The method is useful for assaying on the order of tens to hundreds of genes in multiple samples. Control experiments indicate reliable detection of changes in gene expression 2-fold and greater, and sensitivity of detection better than 1 in 10 000. Analyses of over 400 genes in a mouse system transgenic for the E2F1 gene have identified several new downstream targets of E2F1, including Brca1 and Cdk7, in addition to several unidentified genes that are upregulated in the transgenic mice. Changes in expression of several genes related to apoptosis suggest a possible potentiation of apoptotic pathways in the transgenic keratinocytes.

Animals↗

Myofibrillar myopathy. III. Abnormal expression of cyclin-dependent kinases and nuclear proteins.

The pathological process in myofibrillar myopathy (MFM) (previously also referred to as "desmin storage" or "intermediate filament myopathy") results in dissolution of myofibrils, accumulation of products of the degradative process, and abnormal ectopic expression of desmin, dystrophin, gelsolin, NCAM, and N-terminal components of beta-amyloid precursor protein. We now demonstrate that the abnormal fiber regions in MFM immunoreact strongly for (a) CDC2 kinase, the mitotic kinase that phosphorylates and disassembles intermediate filaments; (b) cyclin-dependent kinases CDK2, CDK4, and CDK7, which are involved in regulation of the cell cycle; (c) lamin B, which normally supports the inner nuclear membrane; and (d) the nuclear matrix associated protein. The normal muscle fiber lies in a terminally differentiated state and is refractory to reentry into the cell cycle. The abnormal expression of multiple cyclin-dependent kinases in the terminally differentiated muscle fiber implies inappropriate activation of positive regulators of mitosis and may signal a mitotic catastrophe. The dissolution of myofibrils may be due to hyperphosphorylation occurring during this event.

Adult↗

Pfmrk, a MO15-related protein kinase from Plasmodium falciparum. Gene cloning, sequence, stage-specific expression and chromosome localization.

Cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) play a central role in the regulation of the eukaryotic cell cycle. A novel gene encoding a Cdk-like protein, Pfmrk, has been isolated from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The gene has no introns and comprises an open reading frame encoding a protein of 324 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 38 kDa. Database searches revealed a striking similarity to the Cdk subfamily with the highest similarity to human MO15 (Cdk7). The overall sequence of Pfmrk shares 62% similarity and 46% identity with human MO15, in comparison to the 49-58% similarity and 34-43% identity with other human Cdks. Pfmrk contains two unique inserts: one consisting of 5 amino acids just before the cyclin-binding motif and the other composed of 13 amino acids within the T-loop equivalent region. Southern blots of genomic DNA digests and chromosomal separations showed that Pfmrk is a single-copy gene conserved between several parasite strains and is located on chromosome 10. A 2500-nucleotide transcript of this gene is expressed predominantly in the sexual blood stages (gametocytes), suggesting that Pfmrk may be involved in sexual stage development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A cyclin-dependent kinase-activating kinase (CAK) in budding yeast unrelated to vertebrate CAK.

Progress through the cell cycle is governed by the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), the activation of which requires phosphorylation by the CDK-activating kinase (CAK). In vertebrates, CAK is a trimeric enzyme containing CDK7, cyclin H, and MAT1. CAK from the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was identified as an unusual 44-kilodalton protein kinase, Cak1, that is only distantly related to CDKs. Cak1 accounted for most CAK activity in yeast cell lysates, and its activity was constant throughout the cell cycle. The CAK1 gene was essential for cell viability. Thus, the major CAK in S. cerevisiae is distinct from the vertebrate enzyme, suggesting that budding yeast and vertebrates may have evolved different mechanisms of CDK activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A human primary T-lymphocyte-derived human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat-associated kinase phosphorylates the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II and induces CAK activity.

Tat protein mediates transactivation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), which results in more-efficient transcript elongation. Since phosphorylation of C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II correlates with its enhanced processivity, we studied the properties of a Tat-associated CTD kinase derived from mitogenically stimulated human primary T lymphocytes (TTK). TTK binds to full-length Tat and specifically phosphorylates CTD and CDK2. This dual kinase activity is characteristic of CDK-activating kinase (CAK). The CTD kinase activity is induced upon mitogenic stimulation of primary T lymphocytes. Fractionation of T-cell lysate demonstrates that Tat-associated CTD kinase activity elutes in two peaks. About 60% of Tat-associated CTD kinase copurifies with CDK2 kinase activity and contains the CAK components CDK7 and cyclin H. The rest of Tat-associated kinase is free of CDK2 kinase activity and the CAK components and thus may represent a novel CTD kinase. The kinase activities of TTK are blocked by the adenosine analog 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-benzimidazole (DRB) as well as by the kinase inhibitor H8 at concentrations known to block transcript elongation. Importantly, the Tat-associated kinase markedly induced CAK. We suggest that the mechanism of Tat-mediated processive transcription of the HIV-1 promoter includes a Tat-associated CAK activator.

CDC2-CDC28 Kinases↗

The ability of positive transcription elongation factor B to transactivate human immunodeficiency virus transcription depends on a functional kinase domain, cyclin T1, and Tat.

By binding to the transactivation response element (TAR) RNA, the transcriptional transactivator (Tat) from the human immunodeficiency virus increases rates of elongation rather than initiation of viral transcription. Two cyclin-dependent serine/threonine kinases, CDK7 and CDK9, which phosphorylate the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II, have been implicated in Tat transactivation in vivo and in vitro. In this report, we demonstrate that CDK9, which is the kinase component of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) complex, can activate viral transcription when tethered to the heterologous Rev response element RNA via the regulator of expression of virion proteins (Rev). The kinase activity of CDK9 and cyclin T1 is essential for these effects. Moreover, P-TEFb binds to TAR only in the presence of Tat. We conclude that Tat-P-TEFb complexes bind to TAR, where CDK9 modifies RNA polymerase II for the efficient copying of the viral genome.

Cell Line, Transformed↗

Functional domains of Tat required for efficient human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcription.

Tat expression is required for efficient human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcription. In the present study, we generated a series of 293 cell lines that contained a provirus with a tat gene deletion (Deltatat). Cell lines that contained Deltatat and stably transfected vectors containing either wild-type tat or a number of tat mutants were obtained so that the abilities of these tat genes to stimulate HIV-1 gene expression and reverse transcription could be compared. tat genes with mutations in the amino terminus did not stimulate either viral gene expression or HIV-1 reverse transcription. In contrast, tat mutants in the activation, core, and basic domains of Tat did not stimulate HIV-1 gene expression but markedly stimulated HIV-1 reverse transcription. No differences in the levels of virion genomic RNA or tRNA3Lys were seen in the HIV-1 Deltatat viruses complemented with either mutant or wild-type tat. Finally, overexpression of the Tat-associated kinases CDK7 and CDK9, which are involved in Tat activation of HIV-1 transcription, was not able to complement the reverse transcription defects associated with the lack of a functional tat gene. These results indicate that the mechanism by which tat modulates HIV-1 reverse transcription is distinct from its ability to activate HIV-1 gene expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Explant-induced reactivation of herpes simplex virus occurs in neurons expressing nuclear cdk2 and cdk4.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) establishes productive (lytic) infections in nonneuronal cells and nonproductive (latent) infections in neurons. It has been proposed that HSV establishes latency because quiescent neurons lack cellular factors required for productive infection. It has been further proposed that these putative factors are induced following neuronal stress, as a requirement for HSV reactivation. To date, the identity of these putative cellular factors remains unknown. We have demonstrated that cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) 1, 2, or 7 is required for HSV replication in nonneuronal cells. Interestingly, cdks 1 and 2 are not expressed in quiescent neurons but can be induced in stressed neurons. Thus, cdks may be among the cellular proteins required for HSV reactivation whose neuronal expression is differentially regulated during stress. Herein, we determined that neuronal expression of nuclear cdk2, cdk4, and cyclins E and D2 (which activate cdks 2 and 4, respectively) was induced following explant cultivation, a stressful stimulus that induces HSV reactivation. In contrast, neuronal expression of cdk7 and cytoplasmic cdk4 decreased during explant cultivation, whereas cdk3 was detected in the same small percentage of neurons before and after explant cultivation and cdks 1, 5, and 6 were not detected in neuronal cell bodies. HSV-1 reactivated specifically in neurons expressing nuclear cdk2 and cdk4, and an inhibitor specific for cdk2 inhibited HSV-1 reactivation. We conclude that neuronal levels of cdk2 are among the factors that determine the outcome of HSV infections of neurons.

Animals↗

Roscovitine inhibits activation of promoters in herpes simplex virus type 1 genomes independently of promoter-specific factors.

Flavopiridol, roscovitine, and other inhibitors of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDK) inhibit the replication of a variety of viruses in vitro while proving nontoxic in human clinical trials of their effects against cancer. Consequently, these and other Pharmacological CDK inhibitors (PCIs) have been proposed as potential antivirals. Flavopiridol potently inhibits all tested CDKs and inhibits the transcription of most cellular and viral genes. In contrast, roscovitine and other purine PCIs inhibit with high potency only CDK1, CDK2, CDK5, and CDK7, and they specifically inhibit the expression of viral but not cellular genes. The levels at which purine PCIs inhibit gene expression are unknown, as are the factors which determine their specificity for expression of viral but not cellular genes. We show herein that roscovitine prevents the initiation of transcription of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) genes but has no effect on transcription elongation. We further show that roscovitine does not inhibit the initiation or elongation of cellular transcription and that its inhibitory effects are specific for promoters in HSV-1 genomes. Therefore, we have identified a novel biological activity for PCIs, i.e., their ability to prevent the initiation of transcription. We have also identified genome location as one of the factors that determine whether the transcription of a given gene is inhibited by roscovitine. The activities of roscovitine on viral transcription resemble one of the antiherpesvirus activities of alpha interferon and could be used as a model for the development of novel antivirals. The genome-specific effects of roscovitine may also be important for its development against virus-induced cancers.

Animals↗

Roscovitine, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, prevents replication of varicella-zoster virus.

Understanding the interactions between varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and host cells can be addressed by using small molecule inhibitors of cellular enzymes. Roscovitine (Rosco) is a purine derivative that inhibits cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (cdk1), cdk2, cdk5, cdk7, and cdk9, which are key regulators of the cell cycle and transcription. Herpesviruses are known to interact with cell cycle proteins; thus, the antiviral effects of Rosco on VZV growth were evaluated. In a plaque reduction assay, 25 micro M Rosco prevented VZV replication, and the antiviral effect was reversible for at least up to 24 h posttreatment. Rosco also reduced expression of the major transactivator, IE62, over 48 h. Confocal microscopy studies indicated that Rosco caused the immediate-early proteins ORF4 and IE62 to abnormally localize in infected cells and prevented cell-cell spread of VZV over 48 h. Rosco was found to inhibit VZV DNA synthesis as measured by real-time PCR, and this technique was used to estimate the 50% effective concentration (EC(50)) of 14 micro M. This value was close to the EC(50) estimate of 12 micro M determined from plaque reduction assays. At 25 micro M, Rosco was not cytotoxic over 48 h in a neutral red uptake assay, and proliferation was slowed as the cells accumulated in a G(2)-like state. These results demonstrate the importance of cdk's in VZV replication and suggest that cdk inhibitors could serve as useful VZV antivirals.

Antiviral Agents↗

KIN28 encodes a C-terminal domain kinase that controls mRNA transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae but lacks cyclin-dependent kinase-activating kinase (CAK) activity.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene KIN28 is a member of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) family. The Kin28 protein shares extensive sequence identity with the vertebrate CDK-activating kinase MO15 (Cdk7), which phosphorylates CDKs in vitro on a critical threonine residue. Kin28 and MO15 have recently been found to copurify with the transcription factor IIH (TFIIH) holoenzyme of yeast and human cells, respectively. Although TFIIH is capable of phosphorylating the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II, it has been unclear whether Kin28 is the physiologically relevant CTD kinase or what role CTD phosphorylation plays in transcription. In this study, we used a thermosensitive allele of KIN28 and a hemagglutinin epitope-tagged Kin28 protein to investigate Kin28 function in transcription and in the cell cycle. We show that Kin28 acts as a positive regulator of mRNA transcription in vivo and possesses CTD kinase activity in vitro. However, Kin28 neither regulates the phosphorylation state of the yeast cell cycle CDK, Cdc28, nor possesses CDK-activating kinase activity in vitro. We conclude that Kin28 is a strong candidate for the physiological CTD kinase of S. cerevisiae and that Kin28 function is required for mRNA transcription.

Base Sequence↗

Phosphorylation of nuclear MyoD is required for its rapid degradation.

MyoD is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor involved in the activation of genes encoding skeletal muscle-specific proteins. Independent of its ability to transactivate muscle-specific genes, MyoD can also act as a cell cycle inhibitor. MyoD activity is regulated by transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms. While MyoD can be found phosphorylated, the functional significance of this posttranslation modification has not been established. MyoD contains several consensus cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) phosphorylation sites. In these studies, we examined whether a link could be established between MyoD activity and phosphorylation at putative CDK sites. Site-directed mutagenesis of potential CDK phosphorylation sites in MyoD revealed that S200 is required for MyoD hyperphosphorylation as well as the normally short half-life of the MyoD protein. Additionally, we determined that turnover of the MyoD protein requires the proteasome and Cdc34 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme activity. Results of these studies demonstrate that hyperphosphorylated MyoD is targeted for rapid degradation by the ubiquitin pathway. The targeted degradation of MyoD following CDK phosphorylation identifies a mechanism through which MyoD activity can be regulated coordinately with the cell cycle machinery (CDK2 and CDK4) and/or coordinately with the cellular transcriptional machinery (CDK7, CDK8, and CDK9).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An RNA polymerase II complex containing all essential initiation factors binds to the activation domain of PAR leucine zipper transcription factor thyroid embryonic factor.

Transcription initiation of protein-encoding genes involves the assembly of RNA polymerase II and a number of general transcription factors at the promoter. A mammalian RNA polymerase II complex containing all of the components required for promoter-specific transcription initiation can be isolated by immunopurification with a monoclonal antibody directed against the cyclin-dependent kinase CDK7, a subunit of the general transcription factor TFIIH. In vitro transcription by this immunopurified RNA polymerase II complex is effectively stimulated by thyroid embryonic factor (TEF), a basic leucine zipper transcription factor. Thus, the RNA polymerase II complex must also contain components required for activated transcription that interact with the transactivation domain of TEF. This conjecture was verified by affinity selection experiments in which the TEF transcription activation domain was used as a bait. Indeed, an RNA polymerase II complex containing all of the accessory proteins required for transcription initiation can be enriched by its affinity to recombinant proteins containing the TEF transactivation domain. These results are compatible with a mechanism by which TEF can recruit an RNA polymerase II holoenzyme to the promoter in a single step.

Animals↗

c-Myc regulates cyclin D-Cdk4 and -Cdk6 activity but affects cell cycle progression at multiple independent points.

c-myc is a cellular proto-oncogene associated with a variety of human cancers and is strongly implicated in the control of cellular proliferation, programmed cell death, and differentiation. We have previously reported the first isolation of a c-myc-null cell line. Loss of c-Myc causes a profound growth defect manifested by the lengthening of both the G1 and G2 phases of the cell cycle. To gain a clearer understanding of the role of c-Myc in cellular proliferation, we have performed a comprehensive analysis of the components that regulate cell cycle progression. The largest defect observed in c-myc-/- cells is a 12-fold reduction in the activity of cyclin D1-Cdk4 and -Cdk6 complexes during the G0-to-S transition. Downstream events, such as activation of cyclin E-Cdk2 and cyclin A-Cdk2 complexes, are delayed and reduced in magnitude. However, it is clear that c-Myc affects the cell cycle at multiple independent points, because restoration of the Cdk4 and -6 defect does not significantly increase growth rate. In exponentially cycling cells the absence of c-Myc reduces coordinately the activities of all cyclin-cyclin-dependent kinase complexes. An analysis of cyclin-dependent kinase complex regulators revealed increased expression of p27(KIP1) and decreased expression of Cdk7 in c-myc-/- cells. We propose that c-Myc functions as a crucial link in the coordinate adjustment of growth rate to environmental conditions.

Animals↗

CDK9 autophosphorylation regulates high-affinity binding of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 tat-P-TEFb complex to TAR RNA.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat interacts with cyclin T1 (CycT1), a regulatory partner of CDK9 in the positive transcription elongation factor (P-TEFb) complex, and binds cooperatively with CycT1 to TAR RNA to recruit P-TEFb and promote transcription elongation. We show here that Tat also stimulates phosphorylation of affinity-purified core RNA polymerase II and glutathione S-transferase-C-terminal-domain substrates by CycT1-CDK9, but not CycH-CDK7, in vitro. Interestingly, incubation of recombinant Tat-P-TEFb complexes with ATP enhanced binding to TAR RNA dramatically, and the C-terminal half of CycT1 masked binding of Tat to TAR RNA in the absence of ATP. ATP incubation lead to autophosphorylation of CDK9 at multiple C-terminal Ser and Thr residues, and full-length CycT1 (amino acids 728) [CycT1(1-728)], but not truncated CycT1(1-303), was also phosphorylated by CDK9. P-TEFb complexes containing a catalytically inactive CDK9 mutant (D167N) bound TAR RNA weakly and independently of ATP, as did a C-terminal truncated CDK9 mutant that was catalytically active but unable to undergo autophosphorylation. Analysis of different Tat proteins revealed that the 101-amino-acid SF2 HIV-1 Tat was unable to bind TAR with CycT1(1-303) in the absence of phosphorylated CDK9, whereas unphosphorylated CDK9 strongly blocked binding of HIV-2 Tat to TAR RNA in a manner that was reversed upon autophosphorylation. Replacement of CDK9 phosphorylation sites with negatively charged residues restored binding of CycT1(1-303)-D167N-Tat, and rendered D167N a more potent inhibitor of transcription in vitro. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CDK9 phosphorylation is required for high-affinity binding of Tat-P-TEFb to TAR RNA and that the state of P-TEFb phosphorylation may regulate Tat transactivation in vivo.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Strong functional interactions of TFIIH with XPC and XPG in human DNA nucleotide excision repair, without a preassembled repairosome.

In mammalian cells, the core factors involved in the damage recognition and incision steps of DNA nucleotide excision repair are XPA, TFIIH complex, XPC-HR23B, replication protein A (RPA), XPG, and ERCC1-XPF. Many interactions between these components have been detected, using different physical methods, in human cells and for the homologous factors in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Several human nucleotide excision repair (NER) complexes, including a high-molecular-mass repairosome complex, have been proposed. However, there have been no measurements of activity of any mammalian NER protein complex isolated under native conditions. In order to assess relative strengths of interactions between NER factors, we captured TFIIH from cell extracts with an anti-cdk7 antibody, retaining TFIIH in active form attached to magnetic beads. Coimmunoprecipitation of other NER proteins was then monitored functionally in a reconstituted repair system with purified proteins. We found that all detectable TFIIH in gently prepared human cell extracts was present in the intact nine-subunit form. There was no evidence for a repair complex that contained all of the NER components. At low ionic strength TFIIH could associate with functional amounts of each NER factor except RPA. At physiological ionic strength, TFIIH associated with significant amounts of XPC-HR23B and XPG but not other repair factors. The strongest interaction was between TFIIH and XPC-HR23B, indicating a coupled role of these proteins in early steps of repair. A panel of antibodies was used to estimate that there are on the order of 10(5) molecules of each core NER factor per HeLa cell.

DNA Repair↗