Cdk1) and the activity of the cyclin B-Cdk complex rise through the cell cycle[2] until mitosis, where they fall abruptly due to degradation of cyclin B (Cdk1 is constitutively present).[3] The complex of Cdk and cyclin B is called maturation promoting factor
or mitosis promoting factor (MPF).
Expression of cyclins through the cell cycle.
Function
Cyclin B is necessary for the progression of the cells into and out of M phase of the cell cycle.
At the end of S phase the phosphatase cdc25c dephosphorylates tyrosine15 and this activates the cyclin B/CDK1 complex. Upon activation the complex is shuttled to the nucleus where it serves to trigger for entry into mitosis.[4] However, if DNA damage is detected alternative proteins are activated which results in the inhibitory phosphorylation of cdc25c and therefore cyclinB/CDK1 is not activated. In order for the cell to progress out of mitosis, the degradation of cyclin B is necessary.[5]
The cyclin B/CDK1 complex also interacts with a variety of other key proteins and pathways which regulate cell growth and progression of mitosis. Cross-talk between many of these pathways links cyclin B levels indirectly to induction of apoptosis. The cyclin B/CDK1 complex plays a critical role in the expression of the survival signal
mitotic spindle which strongly affects cell viability, therefore when cyclin B levels are disrupted cells experience difficulty polarizing.[6]
A decrease in survivin levels and the associated mitotic disarray triggers apoptosis via caspase 3 mediated pathway.
Role in Cancer
Cyclin B plays an integral role in many types of cancer.
M phase
prematurely and strict control over cell division is lost, which is a favorable condition for cancer development. On the other hand, if cyclin B levels are depleted the cyclin B/CDK1 complex cannot form, cells cannot enter M phase and cell division slows down. Some anti-cancer therapies have been designed to prevent cyclin B/CDK1 complex formation in cancer cells to slow or prevent cell division. Most of these methods have targeted the CDK1 subunit, but there is an emerging interest in the oncology field to target cyclin B as well.
As a Biomarker
Cyclin levels can easily be determined through immunohistological analysis of tumor
gastric cancers.[9] However, not all cancers which overexpress cyclin B are more aggressive. A study in 2009 found that cyclin B overexpression in ovarian cancer indicates that the cancer is unlikely to be malignant while more aggressive ovarian cancers of epithelial cell origin do not show elevated cyclin B.[10]
Cyclin B and p53
There is strong cross-talk between the pathways regulating cyclin B and the tumor suppressor gene
siRNAs
for cyclin B may be an effective treatment against cancers where p53 function is inhibited but the gene has not been deleted. In such cases lowering cyclin B levels restores the tumor suppressing function of p53 and also prevents cancer cells from dividing as a consequence of low cyclin B.
