Abstract
Cdk9 is a member of the Cdc2-like family of kinases. Its cyclin partners are membersof the family of cyclin T (T1, T2a and T2b) and cyclin K. The Cdk9/cyclin T complexesappear to be involved in regulating several physiological processes. Cdk9/cyclin T1belongs to the P-TEFb complex, and is responsible for the phosphorylation of the carboxylterminaldomain (CTD) of the RNA Polymerase II, thus promoting general elongation.Cdk9 has also been described as the kinase of the TAK complex, which is homologousto the P-TEFb complex and involved in HIV replication. Cdk9 also appears to be involvedin the differentiation program of several cell types, such as muscle cells, monocytes andneurons, suggesting that it may have a function in controlling specific differentiativepathways. In addition, Cdk9 seems to have an anti-apoptotic function in monocytes, thatmay be related to its control over differentiation of monocytes. This data suggeststhe involvement of Cdk9 in several physiological processes in the cell, the deregulationof which may be related to the genesis of transforming events, that may in turn leadto the onset of cancer. In addition, since the complex Cdk9/cyclin T1 is able to bind tothe HIV-1 product Tat, the study of the functions of Cdk9/cyclin T may be of interest inunderstanding the basal mechanisms that regulate HIV replication.
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