Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are protein kinases that regulate critical cellular processes such as the cell cycle, transcription, and differentiation. CDKs are activated when bound to cyclin proteins and phosphorylate target proteins to regulate their activity. Different cyclin-CDK complexes are involved at different phases of the cell cycle, controlling checkpoints and ensuring DNA replication only occurs once per cycle. When DNA damage is detected, CDK inhibitors like p53 and p21 are activated, halting transcription and giving time for DNA repair.