Involvement of Myt1 kinase in the G2 phase of the first cell cycle in Xenopus laevis

Potential of CDC25 phosphatases in cancer research and treatment: key to precision medicine

The global burden of cancer continues to rise, underscoring the urgency of developing more effective and precisely targeted therapies. This comprehensive review explores the confluence of precision medicine and CDC25 phosphatases in the context of cancer research. Precision medicine, alternatively referred to as customized medicine, aims to customize medical interventions by taking into account the genetic, genomic, and epigenetic characteristics of individual patients. The identification of particular genetic and molecular drivers driving cancer helps both diagnostic accuracy and treatment selection. Precision medicine utilizes sophisticated technology such as genome sequencing and bioinformatics to elucidate genetic differences that underlie the proliferation of cancer cells, hence facilitating the development of customized therapeutic interventions. CDC25 phosphatases, which play a crucial role in governing the progression of the cell cycle, have garnered significant attention as potential targets for cancer treatment. The dysregulation of CDC25 is a characteristic feature observed in various types of malignancies, hence classifying them as proto-oncogenes. The proteins in question, which operate as phosphatases, play a role in the activation of Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), so promoting the advancement of the cell cycle. CDC25 inhibitors demonstrate potential as therapeutic drugs for cancer treatment by specifically blocking the activity of CDKs and modulating the cell cycle in malignant cells. In brief, precision medicine presents a potentially fruitful option for augmenting cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment, with an emphasis on individualized care predicated upon patients' genetic and molecular profiles. The review highlights the significance of CDC25 phosphatases in the advancement of cancer and identifies them as promising candidates for therapeutic intervention. This statement underscores the significance of doing thorough molecular profiling in order to uncover the complex molecular characteristics of cancer cells.

Regulation of Myt1 kinase activity via its N-terminal region in Xenopus meiosis and mitosis

Immature animal oocytes are naturally arrested at the first meiotic prophase (Pro-I), which corresponds to the G2 phase of the cell cycle. In Xenopus oocytes, Myt1 kinase phosphorylates and inactivates cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) at Pro-I, thereby preventing oocytes from entering meiosis I (MI) prematurely. Previous studies have shown that, upon resuming MI, Cdk1 and p90rsk, which is a downstream kinase of the Mos-MAPK pathway, in turn phosphorylate the C-terminal region of Myt1, to suppress its activity, thereby ensuring high Cdk1 activity during M phase. However, the roles of the N-terminal region of Myt1 during meiosis and mitosis remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we show that the N-terminal region of Myt1 participates in the regulation of Myt1 activity in the Xenopus cell cycle. In particular, we found that a short, conserved sequence in the N-terminal region, termed here as the PAYF motif, is required for the normal activity of Myt1 in oocytes. Furthermore, multiple phosphorylations by Cdk1 at the Myt1 N-terminal region were found to be involved in the negative regulation of Myt1. In particular, phosphorylations at Thr11 and Thr16 of Myt1, which are adjacent to the PAYF motif, were found to be important for the inactivation of Myt1 in the M phase of the cell cycle. These results suggest that in addition to the regulation of Myt1 activity via the C-terminal region, the N-terminal region of Myt1 also plays an important role in the regulation of Myt1 activity.