CDK7

Serine/threonine kinase involved in cell cycle control and in RNA polymerase II-mediated RNA transcription. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are activated by the binding to a cyclin and mediate the progression through the cell cycle. Each different complex controls a specific transition between 2 subsequent phases in the cell cycle. Required for both activation and complex formation of CDK1/cyclin-B during G2-M transition, and for activation of CDK2/cyclins during G1-S transition (but not complex formation). CDK7 is the catalytic subunit of the CDK-activating kinase (CAK) complex. Phosphorylates SPT5/SUPT5H, SF1/NR5A1, POLR2A, p53/TP53, CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6 and CDK11B/CDK11. CAK activates the cyclin-associated kinases CDK1, CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6 by threonine phosphorylation, thus regulating cell cycle progression. CAK complexed to the core-TFIIH basal transcription factor activates RNA polymerase II by serine phosphorylation of the repetitive C-terminal domain (CTD) of its large subunit (POLR2A), allowing its escape from the promoter and elongation of the transcripts (PubMed:9852112). Phosphorylation of POLR2A in complex with DNA promotes transcription initiation by triggering dissociation from DNA. Its expression and activity are constant throughout the cell cycle. Upon DNA damage, triggers p53/TP53 activation by phosphorylation, but is inactivated in turn by p53/TP53; this feedback loop may lead to an arrest of the cell cycle and of the transcription, helping in cell recovery, or to apoptosis. Required for DNA-bound peptides-mediated transcription and cellular growth inhibition.

Phosphorylation of Ser-164 during mitosis inactivates the enzyme. Phosphorylation of Thr-170 is required for activity. Phosphorylated at Ser-164 and Thr-170 by CDK2.

Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. CMGC Ser/Thr protein kinase family. CDC2/CDKX subfamily.

Ubiquitous.

• Nucleus
• Cytoplasm
• Cytoplasm
• Perinuclear region
• Colocalizes with PRKCI in the cytoplasm and nucleus (PubMed:15695176). Translocates from the nucleus to cytoplasm and perinuclear region in response to DNA-bound peptides (PubMed:19071173).

CAK, CAK1, CDKN7, MO15, STK1, CDK7, Cyclin-dependent kinase 7, 39 kDa protein kinase, CDK-activating kinase 1, Cell division protein kinase 7, Serine/threonine-protein kinase 1, TFIIH basal transcription factor complex kinase subunit, p39 Mo15

• entrezGene:1022
• entrezGene:4331
• entrezGene:902
• omim:601953
• omim:601955
• omim:602659
• swissprot:P50613
• swissprot:P51948
• swissprot:P51946

Proteins

Epigenetics

• Oncology

39038Da