CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE-7 - AT THE CROSS-ROADS OF TRANSCRIPTION, DNA-REPAIR AND CELL-CYCLE CONTROL

Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 7 was originally implicated in cell cycl e control by virtue of its ability to phosphorylate and activate other CDKs. Subsequently, both CDK7 and its partner, cyclin H, were found t o be associated with the general transcription factor TFIIH, suggestin g additional roles for CDK7 in transcription and DNA repair. During th e past year, a third subunit associated with CDK7 and cyclin H has bee n characterized, and the functional link between CDK7 and RNA polymera se II has been strengthened.