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Previous studies examining the functions of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) have mainly focused on the regulation of the cell cycle. Recent studies have found that cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) and cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) play important roles in cell stress, metabolism of toxic substances and maintaining the stability of the internal environment. Here, we found that under stress conditions, the transcription and protein expression of AccCDK7 and AccCDK9 were induced to varying degrees. Meanwhile, the silencing of AccCDK7 and AccCDK9 also affected the expression of antioxidant genes and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced the survival rate of bees under high temperature stress. Furthermore, the exogenous overexpression of AccCDK7 and AccCDK9 improved the viability of yeast under stress conditions. Therefore, AccCDK7 and AccCDK9 may play roles in A.cerana cerana resistance to oxidative stress caused by external stimuli, potentially revealing a new mechanism of the honeybee response to oxidative stress. • Isolation of AccCDK7 and AccCDK9 from Apis cerana cerana. • The expression of AccCDK7 and AccCDK9 is induced by oxidative stress. • AccCDK7 and AccCDK9 can enhance the stress resistance of E. coli and yeast. • RNA interference experiments suggested that AccCDK7 and AccCDK9 is important for resistance against stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]