Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 8 (CDK8) Reagents

Cyclin-dependent kinase 8

Component of the Mediator complex, a coactivator involved in regulated gene transcription of nearly all RNA polymerase II-dependent genes. Mediator functions as a bridge to convey information from gene-specific regulatory proteins to the basal RNA polymerase II transcription machinery. Mediator is recruited to promoters by direct interactions with regulatory proteins and serves as a scaffold for the assembly of a functional pre-initiation complex with RNA polymerase II and the general transcription factors. Phosphorylates the CTD (C-terminal domain) of the large subunit of RNA polymerase II (RNAp II), which may inhibit the formation of a transcription initiation complex. Phosphorylates CCNH leading to down-regulation of the TFIIH complex and transcriptional repression. Recruited through interaction with MAML1 to hyperphosphorylate the intracellular domain of NOTCH, leading to its degradation.

Nucleus.

Protein kinase superfamily, CMGC Ser/Thr protein kinase family, CDC2/CDKX subfamily

cdk8; CDK8 protein kinase; CDK8_HUMAN; Cell Division Kinase 8; Cell division protein kinase 8; Cyclin Dependent kinase 8; Cyclin-dependent kinase 8; K35; Mediator complex subunit cdk8; Mediator of RNA polymerase II transcription subunit cdk8; Protein kinase K35

This gene encodes a member of the cyclin-dependent protein kinase (CDK) family. CDK family members are known to be important regulators of cell cycle progression. This kinase and its regulatory subunit, cyclin C, are components of the Mediator transcriptional regulatory complex, involved in both transcriptional activation and repression by phosphorylation of the carboxy-terminal domain of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II. This kinase regulates transcription by targeting the cyclin-dependent kinase 7 subunits of the general transcription initiation factor IIH, thus providing a link between the Mediator complex and the basal transcription machinery. Multiple pseudogenes of this gene have been identified. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants.