Cell cycle progression is controlled in part by a family of cyclin proteins and cyclin dependent kinases (Cdks). Cdk proteins work in concert with the cyclins to phosphorylate key substrates involved in each phase of cell cycle progression . Another family of proteins, Cdk inhibitors, also plays a role in regulating the cell cycle by binding to cyclin-Cdk complexes and modulating their activity. Several Cdk proteins have been identified, including Cdk2-Cdk8, PCTAIRE-1-PCTAIRE-3, PITALRE and PITSLRE. Cdk4, in complex with D-type cyclins, is thought to regulate cell growth during the G1 phase of the cell cycle. This association with a D-type cyclin upregulates Cdk4 activity, whereas binding to the Cdk inhibitor p16 downregulates Cdk4 activity. Activation of the Cdk4-cyclin complexes requires phosphorylation on a single threonyl residue of Cdk4, catalyzed by a Cdk-activating protein (CAK).
