CDK9/Cyclin T1 Proteins

Protein Information

Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) and Cyclin T1 form the positive transcription elongation factor b (p-TEFb) complex, which is crucial for transcriptional regulation and mRNA maturation. CDK9 is a transcriptional kinase expressed widely across human tissues, with notably higher levels in terminally differentiated cells, influencing transcriptional elongation by phosphorylating the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain. This kinase's gene is mapped to chromosome 9q34.1 and produces two isoforms through two distinct promoters. CDK9, when coupled with Cyclin T1, modulates oncogene expression and activity, representing essential roles in cell survival and proliferation. The dysregulation of CDK9/Cyclin T1's activity has connections to tumorigenesis, highlighting their importance in cancer biology as potential therapeutic targets. Their complex operation also involves acetylation changes crucial for functional modulation. The interaction of CDK9 with other regulatory proteins emphasizes its versatile roles in cellular physiology beyond what is seen in classical cell cycle control.