Dysregulation of CDK8 and Cyclin C in tumorigenesis.

ABSTRACT: Appropriately controlled gene expression is fundamental for normal growth and survival of all living organisms. In eukaryotes, the transcription of protein-coding mRNAs is dependent on RNA polymerase II (Pol II). The multi-subunit transcription cofactor Mediator complex is proposed to regulate most, if not all, of the Pol II-dependent transcription. Here we focus our discussion on two subunits of the Mediator complex, cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) and its regulatory partner Cyclin C (CycC), because they are either mutated or amplified in a variety of human cancers. CDK8 functions as an oncoprotein in melanoma and colorectal cancers, thus there are considerable interests in developing drugs specifically targeting the CDK8 kinase activity. However, to evaluate the feasibility of targeting

SUBMITTER: Xu W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9792140 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature