WEE1 kinase inhibitor AZD1775 induces CDK1 kinase-dependent origin firing in unperturbed G1- and S-phase cells.

Moiseeva, Tatiana N; Qian, Chenao; Sugitani, Norie; Osmanbeyoglu, Hatice U; Bakkenist, Christopher J · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 2019

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

WEE1 kinase is a key regulator of the G2/M transition. The WEE1 kinase inhibitor AZD1775 (WEE1i) induces origin firing in replicating cells. We show that WEE1i induces CDK1-dependent RIF1 phosphorylation and CDK2- and CDC7-dependent activation of the replicative helicase. WEE1 suppresses CDK1 and CDK2 kinase activities to regulate the G1/S transition after the origin licensing is complete. We identify a role for WEE1 in cell cycle regulation and important effects of AZD1775, which is in clinical trials.

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