Polo-Like Kinase 1 (PLK1)

PLK1: A Key Regulator of Cell Division
Dr. Jasbinder Sanghera, SignalChem, Richmond BC CANADA

The cell cycle, which is divided up into four discrete phases: G1, S, G2 and M, is a highly regulated process; such regulation is required to preserve the genome and to ensure that the resulting daughter cells are identical to their respective progenitor cell. Such fidelity is maintained by three (3) key checkpoints positioned at discrete points throughout the cell cycle: prior to DNA replication or entry into the S phase Checkpoint 1, before commitment to divide or prior to mitosis Checkpoint 2 and prior to chromosomal segregation or between Metaphase and Anaphase Checkpoint 3. Checkpoints 1 and 2 ensures that DNA will be or has been replicated correctly whereas Checkpoint 3 ensures proper segregation of siste…