Figure 8. Proposed model of CDK9/cyclin T1 activation in viral transcription.
CDK9's Thr186 dephosphorylation by PP1/PIP1 complex leads to the dissociation of 7SK RNA and HEXIM1 protein and the release of inactive CDK9. CDK9 is phosphorylated by a cellular kinase, which may include active CDK9/cyclin T1 on Ser175 and Thr 186 that creates inactive CDK9/cyclin T1. This inactive phosphorylated CDK9/cyclin T1 is activated by PP1/PIP2 complex. The active CDK9/cyclin T1 can be recruited by Tat or re-associated with 7SK snRNP.