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CDK-Mediated Regulation of Cell Functions via c-Jun Phosphorylation and AP-1 Activation
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

CDK-Mediated Regulation of Cell Functions via c-Jun Phosphorylation and AP-1 Activation

Tony J Vanden Bush and Gail A Bishop
PloS one, Vol.6(4), pp.e19468-e19468
2011
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019468
PMCID: PMC3084876
PMID: 21559334
url
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0019468View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and their targets have been primarily associated with regulation of cell-cycle progression. Here we identify c-Jun, a transcription factor involved in the regulation of a broad spectrum of cellular functions, as a newly recognized CDK substrate. Using immune cells from mouse and human, and several complementary in vitro and in vivo approaches including dominant negative protein expression, pharmacologic inhibitors, kinase assays and CDK4 deficient cells, we demonstrate the ability of CDK4 to phosphorylate c-Jun. Additionally, the activity of AP-1, a ubiquitous transcription factor containing phosphorylated c-Jun as a subunit, was inhibited by abrogating CDK4. Surprisingly, the regulation of c-Jun phosphorylation by CDK4 occurred in non-dividing cells, indicating that this pathway is utilized for cell functions that are independent of proliferation. Our studies identify a new substrate for CDK4 and suggest a mechanism by which CDKs can regulate multiple cellular activation functions, not all of which are directly associated with cell cycle progression. These findings point to additional roles of CDKs in cell signaling and reveal potential implications for therapeutic manipulations of this kinase pathway.
 Biology

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