Structural highlights
Function
[WEE1_HUMAN] Acts as a negative regulator of entry into mitosis (G2 to M transition) by protecting the nucleus from cytoplasmically activated cyclin B1-complexed CDK1 before the onset of mitosis by mediating phosphorylation of CDK1 on 'Tyr-15'. Specifically phosphorylates and inactivates cyclin B1-complexed CDK1 reaching a maximum during G2 phase and a minimum as cells enter M phase. Phosphorylation of cyclin B1-CDK1 occurs exclusively on 'Tyr-15' and phosphorylation of monomeric CDK1 does not occur. Its activity increases during S and G2 phases and decreases at M phase when it is hyperphosphorylated. A correlated decrease in protein level occurs at M/G1 phase, probably due to its degradation.
Publication Abstract from PubMed
Members of the Wee family of kinases negatively regulate the cell cycle via phosphorylation of CDK1 and are considered potential drug targets. Herein, we investigated the structure-function relationship of human Wee1, Wee2 and Myt1 (PKMYT1). Purified recombinant full-length proteins and kinase domain constructs differed substantially in phosphorylation states and catalytic competency suggesting complex mechanisms of activation. A series of crystal structures revealed unique features that distinguish Wee1 and Wee2 from Myt1 and establish the structural basis of differential inhibition by the widely used Wee1 inhibitor MK-1775. Kinome profiling and cellular studies demonstrate that, in addition to Wee1 and Wee2, MK-1775 is an equally potent inhibitor of the polo-like kinase PLK1. Several previously unrecognized inhibitors of Wee kinases were discovered and characterized. Combined, the data provide a comprehensive view on the catalytic and structural properties of Wee kinases and a framework for the rational design of novel inhibitors thereof.
Structural basis of Wee kinases functionality and inactivation by diverse small molecule inhibitors.,Zhu JY, Cuellar RAD, Berndt N, Lee HE, Olesen SH, Martin MP, Jensen JT, Georg GI, Schonbrunn E J Med Chem. 2017 Aug 9. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00996. PMID:28792760[1]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Zhu JY, Cuellar RAD, Berndt N, Lee HE, Olesen SH, Martin MP, Jensen JT, Georg GI, Schonbrunn E. Structural basis of Wee kinases functionality and inactivation by diverse small molecule inhibitors. J Med Chem. 2017 Aug 9. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00996. PMID:28792760 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00996
