Cyclin

Definition

Cyclins are proteins that regulate the progression of the cell cycle by binding to and activating cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). They control the timing and coordination of key events during cell division.

Related terms

Cell Cycle:

The series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and duplication. It consists of interphase (G1, S, G2) and mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase).

Checkpoints:

Specific points in the cell cycle where regulatory proteins evaluate whether the conditions are suitable for the cell to proceed with division or if any errors need to be fixed.

Mitosis:

The process by which a eukaryotic cell separates its chromosomes into two identical sets in order to produce two genetically identical daughter cells.