What are the differences between cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Cyclins

Cyclin dependent kinases

Definition

Cyclins are regulatory molecular proteins involved in the cell cycle that have no enzymatic function on their own

Cyclin dependent kinases are catalytic proteins involved in the cell cycle that possess enzymatic function after activation by cyclins

Molecular weight

45 kDA to 87 kDa

34 kDa to 40 kDa

Expression

Expressed at specific stages of the cell cycle in

Expressed continuously throughout the cell cycle

Function

Cyclins bind to CDKs in order to activate them and create maturation promoting factors that phosphorylate target proteins

CDKs are the catalytic molecules responsible for phosphorylating target proteins which drive cell cycle progression. They phosphorylate wide ranges of substrates to facilitate events of the cell cycle

Basis of differentiation	Cyclins	Cyclin dependent kinases
Definition	Cyclins are regulatory molecular proteins involved in the cell cycle that have no enzymatic function on their own	Cyclin dependent kinases are catalytic proteins involved in the cell cycle that possess enzymatic function after activation by cyclins
Molecular weight	45 kDA to 87 kDa	34 kDa to 40 kDa
Expression	Expressed at specific stages of the cell cycle in	Expressed continuously throughout the cell cycle
Function	Cyclins bind to CDKs in order to activate them and create maturation promoting factors that phosphorylate target proteins	CDKs are the catalytic molecules responsible for phosphorylating target proteins which drive cell cycle progression. They phosphorylate wide ranges of substrates to facilitate events of the cell cycle

Basis of differentiation

Cyclins

Cyclin dependent kinases

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