P21 Activated Kinases: Structure, Regulation, and Functions

Overview

Journal Small GTPases

Specialties Biochemistry
Cell Biology

Date 2014 Mar 25

PMID 24658305

Citations 112

Authors

Chetan K Rane

Audrey Minden

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The p21 activated kinases (Paks) are well known effector proteins for the Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac. The Paks contain 6 members, which fall into 2 families of proteins. The first family consists of Paks 1, 2, and 3, and the second consists of Paks 4, 5, and 6. While some of the Paks are ubiquitously expressed, others have more restrictive tissue specificity. All of them are found in the nervous system. Studies using cell culture, transgenic mice, and knockout mice, have revealed important roles for the Paks in cytoskeletal organization and in many aspects of cell growth and development. This review discusses the basic structures of the Paks, and their roles in cell growth, development, and in cancer.

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