M-phase inducer phosphatase 3 (CDC25C) (CDC25C)

M-phase inducer phosphatase 3 (CDC25C) is a critical dual-specificity phosphatase that regulates the G2/M transition of the eukaryotic cell cycle (UniProt: P30307). Its primary function is to dephosphorylate and activate the Cyclin B1-CDK1 complex, which is the master regulator of entry into mitosis (PubMed: 15606504). The catalytic domain, often referred to as CDC25C-cat, contains the highly conserved active site motif (HCX5R) essential for its enzymatic activity. CDC25C is frequently overexpressed in various human cancers, including breast, lung, and colorectal carcinomas, where it facilitates uncontrolled cell growth and correlates with poor prognosis (PubMed: 12855481). Consequently, it is a target for small-molecule inhibitors designed to induce G2/M arrest and apoptosis in tumor cells. However, the development of therapeutic agents has been complicated by the high structural similarity between CDC25 isoforms (A, B, and C) and the potential for systemic toxicity in healthy, rapidly dividing tissues (PubMed: 17407415).

Other names

Cell division cycle 25CDual specificity phosphatase CDC25CMPIP3CDC25C-catCDC25C catalytic domain

Inhibition of the phosphatase activity of CDC25C, preventing the dephosphorylation of CDK1 and resulting in G2/M phase cell cycle arrest.