Emerging roles of Cdk8 in cell cycle control

•Cdk8 is a cyclin-dependent kinase and a evolutionary conserved component of the Mediator complex.•Cdk8 influences multiple steps in cell cycle progression.•Cdk8 governs the stability of gene specific transcription factors via the ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis pathway.

Cyclin dependent kinase 8 (Cdk8) is a component of Mediator, an evolutionary conserved multiprotein complex that regulates RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription. Cdk8 has been implicated as a regulator of multiple steps in cell cycle progression. We here discuss recent advances in our understanding of Cdk8 function and a possible role for Mediator as a hub for integrating transcription regulation with cell cycle progression.