CDC7
Description
The CDC7 (cell division cycle 7) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 1.
CDC7, also known as cell division cycle 7-related protein kinase, is an enzyme encoded by the CDC7 gene in humans. This kinase plays a vital role in regulating the cell cycle, particularly during DNA replication. CDC7 is highly conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution, indicating its essential role in cellular processes. The CDC7 protein is primarily located in the nucleus and exhibits kinase activity. It is activated by another protein, either Dbf4 in yeast or ASK in mammals. The activated CDC7-Dbf4 complex phosphorylates the MCM protein complex, initiating DNA replication in mitosis. While CDC7 protein levels remain relatively constant throughout the cell cycle, its kinase activity increases during the S phase. This suggests that CDC7 is crucial for initiating DNA replication and regulating cell cycle progression. Overexpression of CDC7 has been linked to the development of some tumors, indicating its potential role in cancer. The presence of alternative splicing suggests the existence of multiple transcript sizes for the CDC7 gene.
CDC7 is also known as CDC7L1, HsCDC7, Hsk1, huCDC7.
