Transcriptional control by cell-cycle regulators: A review

In eukaryotes, progression of the cell cycle is associated with periodic transcription activation/repression of growth-regulatory genes. We summarize here current knowledge and views on the role of critical cell-cycle regulators such as the retinoblastoma pocket family members and cyclin-dependent kinases in the regulation of gene transcription. In particular, we discuss here the role of specific cyclin-dependent kinase complexes in the regulation of basal transcription. Although the functional connections between transcription and cell-cycle regulators is far from being understood, recent progress has been made in connecting cell-cycle progression to dedicated components of the RNA polymerase II transcription apparatus complex.