Cdk12 is essential for embryonic development and the maintenance of genomic stability.

ABSTRACT: The maintenance of genomic integrity during early embryonic development is important in order to ensure the proper development of the embryo. Studies from cultured cells have demonstrated that cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (Cdk12) is a multifunctional protein that maintains genomic stability and the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. Perturbation of its functions is also known to be associated with pathogenesis and drug resistance in human cancers. However, the biological significance of Cdk12 in vivo is unclear. Here we bred mice that are deficient in Cdk12 and demonstrated that Cdk12 depletion leads to embryonic lethality shortly after implantation. We also used an in vitro culture system of blastocysts to examine the molecular mechanisms associated with the embryonic lethality of Cdk12-

SUBMITTER: Juan HC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4987723 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature