CDC25 PHOSPHATASE CELL-CYCLE REGULATORS A RE PUTATIVE ONCOGENES

CDC25 dual-specificity phosphatases are evolutionary conserved enzymes that play an essential role in growth control through the activation of cyclin-dependent kinase activity. Regulation of the CDC25 phosphata ses appears to be dependent on Ras, Raf, and Myc oncogene signaling pa thways. Furthermore, recent reports have shown that an altered regulat ion of these enzymes may have oncogenic properties. Here, we summarize our current knowledge on the role of CDC25 phosphatase on cell cycle control and we present the data in favor of a role for CDC25 in carcin ogenesis. We also discuss the pharmacological prospects that arise fro m these results.