A review: cell cycle regulation

The cell cycle is a complex and elaborate process involving numerous regulatory proteins as directors. Central to this process are the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which are activated in a cyclin-dependent manner at special points of the cell cycle. Cyclin protein levels rise and fall during the cell cycle and in the way they periodically activate CDKs. Furthermore, the cell cycle checkpoint is also discussed as a key process in the regulation of CDKs. PLKs are important mediators for various cell cycle checkpoints, while Aurora kinases have emerged as essential regulators of cell division. Here, we reviewed the effects of above factors on cell cycle regulation.