In: Biology
A loss of function mutation in Cdc25 causes cells to divide later. In yeast, this causes the cells to become very large over time. Specifically, explain the effect of loss of function of the Cdc-25 protein on CDK activity. Also, explain why LOF of Cdc25 would inhibit the onset of DNA replication. Rubric (4): correct interpretation of the effect on CDK-cyclin with LOF Cdc-25 (2). Correct explanation of why DNA replication would not be initiated (2).
Answer)
Cdc25 - cell division cycle 25 protein characteristics :
1. Cdc25 is a dual specificity phosphatase, that cleaves inhibitory phosphate group from tyrosine residues.
2. By doing so it regulates CDK activity. Especially CDKs of G1/S and S phase.
CDK-cyclin with LOF Cdc-25:
Cdc-25 works hand in hand with CDK inhibitor like Wee 1 kinase. Wee 1 kinase phosphorylate CDK at certain position to causes inhibiton of CDK activity.
If Cdc-25 looses its function. G1/S and S phase CDKs have inbitory phosphates which makes them inactive . As a results cells do not progress from G1 phase.
why DNA replication would not be initiated:
During DNA replication initiation, S phase CDKs promote MCM helicase activation. Which is one of the important steps in the DNA replication.
Loss of Cdc-25 will inturn lead to inactive S phase CDK's which cannot promote MCM helicase inturn cannot activate replication initiation.