Dependence of cyclin E-CDK2 kinase activity on cell anchorage

F Fang, G Orend, N Watanabe, T Hunter, E Ruoslahti - Science, 1996 - science.org
F Fang, G Orend, N Watanabe, T Hunter, E Ruoslahti
Science, 1996science.org
Most nonmalignant cells are anchorage-dependent; they require substrate attachment for
growth and, in some instances, survival. This requirement is lost on oncogenic
transformation. The cyclin E-CDK2 complex, which is required for the G1-S transition of the
cell cycle, was activated in late G1 phase in attached human fibroblasts, but not in fibroblasts
maintained in suspension. In transformed fibroblasts the complex was active regardless of
attachment. The lack of cyclin E-CDK2 activity in suspended cells appeared to result from …
Most nonmalignant cells are anchorage-dependent; they require substrate attachment for growth and, in some instances, survival. This requirement is lost on oncogenic transformation. The cyclin E-CDK2 complex, which is required for the G1-S transition of the cell cycle, was activated in late G1 phase in attached human fibroblasts, but not in fibroblasts maintained in suspension. In transformed fibroblasts the complex was active regardless of attachment. The lack of cyclin E-CDK2 activity in suspended cells appeared to result from increased expression of CDK2 inhibitors and a concomitant decrease in phosphorylation of CDK2 on threonine-160. Suppression of cyclin E-CDK2 activity may thus underlie the anchorage dependence of cell growth.
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