Cyclin-dependent kinase

Cyclin -dependent kinases ( cyclin-dependent kinases german, CDKs) are a group of protein kinases that are involved in the control of the cell cycle by activating a variety of other enzymes at specific times by phosphorylation.

CDKs form complexes with the cyclins through the cell cycle- dependent changes in concentration. The cyclin -dependent kinases are active only in conjunction with their associated cyclin. Thus, the activity of CDKs in the cell are timed and regulated. So it is possible that they in certain phases of the cell cycle perform its function, which are coupled to the cyclic changes in the concentration of cyclins. One example is formed of CDK1 and cyclin B mitotic promoting factor, which controls the initiation of mitosis.