Cyclins

Cyclins are proteins that control the cell cycle. They are integral parts of the eukaryotic cell cycle regulation mechanism, which is responsible for the timely transition from one cellular stage to the next. Cyclins bind to, activate, and regulate enzymes called cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). CDKs, in turn, trigger and control events that lead to cell division. Cyclins are key to mitosis, and their levels fluctuate over time during the cell cycle, allowing for the orderly progression of the cycle. They are also involved in many other cellular processes, such as transcription, DNA repair, and apoptosis. Defects in cyclin expression are associated with cancer and other diseases, highlighting the importance of these proteins in health and disease.