Quantitative differences between cyclin-dependent kinases underlie the unique functions of CDK1 in human cells.

One of the most intriguing features of cell-cycle control is that, although there are multiple cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) in higher eukaryotes, a single CDK is responsible for both G-S and G-M in yeasts. By leveraging a rapid conditional silencing system in human cell lines, we confirm that CDK1 assumes the role of G-S CDK in the absence of CDK2. Unexpectedly, CDK1 deficiency does not prevent mitotic entry.

One-step multiplex toolkit for efficient generation of conditional gene silencing human cell lines.

Loss-of-function analysis is one of the major arsenals we have for understanding gene functions in mammalian cells. For analysis of essential genes, the major challenge is to develop simple methodologies for tight and rapid inducible gene inactivation. One approach involves CRISPR-Cas9-mediated disruption of the endogenous locus in conjunction with the expression of a rescue construct, which can subsequently be turned off to produce a gene inactivation effect.