cyclin L2 Background Information
Cell proliferation is controlled at specific stages of the cell cycle by distinct protein kinase complexes. These complexes consist of a catalytic subunit associating with a specific regulatory subunit to form the active kinase. The cyclins, which include cyclin A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, T and their related proteins, including Dbf4, comprise the regulatory subunits of these kinase complexes. The controlled activation of the kinase complexes at various intervals of the cell cycle is regulated by the availability of the cyclins to the catalytic subunit. Unlike the catalytic subunit, which is expressed continually, the expression and stability of the regulatory subunit fluctuates depending on the stage of the cell cycle and, thereby, regulates the kinase activity. Cyclin L2 is a nuclear protein that is ubiquitously expressed but detected in highest levels in liver, pancreas, heart and ovary. It is important in cell apoptosis by regulating the expression on critical apoptotic factors. Cyclin L2 plays a role in the mRNA splicing process regulation.
