P30291

Wee1 is a tyrosine kinase belonging to the Ser/Thr family of protein kinases. Wee 1 protein plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation by acting as a tyrosine-specific protein kinase that phosphorylates Cdc2 on tyrosine 15, which is essential for maintaining Cdc2 in an inactive state during the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. This regulation prevents premature entry into mitosis, thereby ensuring proper cell division and genomic stability. Additionally, Wee 1 activity is tightly controlled throughout the cell cycle, with function being complemented by Myt 1, another member of the Wee 1 family that phosphorylates Cdc2 on both threonine 14 and tyrosine 15. The interplay between these kinases and the phosphatase Cdc25, which dephosphorylates Cdc2 to activate the Cdc2/cyclin B complex, highlights the intricate balance of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation that governs cell cycle progression.