Abstract
While cell proliferation is an essential part of embryonic development, cells within an embryo cannot proliferate freely. Instead, they must balance proliferation and other cellular events such as differentiation and morphogenesis throughout embryonic growth. Although the G1 phase has been a major focus of study in cell cycle control, it is becoming increasingly clear that G2 regulation also plays an essential role during embryonic development. Here we discuss the role of Cdc25, a key regulator of mitotic entry, with a focus on several recent examples that show how the precise control of Cdc25 activity and the G2/M transition are critical for different aspects of embryogenesis. We finish by discussing a promising technology that allows easy visualization of embryonic and adult cells potentially regulated at mitotic entry, permitting the rapid identification of other instances where the exit from G2 plays an essential role in development and tissue homeostasis.
Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest
No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.
Acknowledgments
We thank Alyssa Manning and Emily Mazanka for their thoughtful comments on the manuscript. This work was supported by an NIH grant (RO1GM079203) to D.K. and a Ruth Kirschstein NRSA fellowship (GM099306) to C.B.