Understanding MARK4: A Protein Essential for Cell Division and Signaling

Target Name: MARK4

NCBI ID: G57787

Understanding MARK4: A Protein Essential for Cell Division and Signaling

MARK4 (Microtubule Affinity-Regulating Kinase Like 1) is a protein that is expressed in a wide range of cell types, including neurons, muscle cells, and cancer cells. It is a key regulator of microtubules, which are the protein filaments that give cells their structure and keep them moving.

One of the things that makes MARK4 so important is its role in cell division. MARK4 helps to regulate the movement of chromosomes during the cell division process, ensuring that each cell gets an accurate copy of the genetic material. If MARK4 were to be disrupted, it could lead to a range of problems, including the development of cancer.

Another important function of MARK4 is its role in cell signaling. It is involved in a number of signaling pathways that help to regulate cell behavior, including the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and survival.

MARK4 is also involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. This is the structure that gives cells their shape and helps them to move. By regulating the actin cytoskeleton, MARK4 helps to ensure that cells maintain their proper shape and can move and function properly.

One of the things that makes MARK4 so difficult to study is its complex structure. MARK4 is a protein that is composed of multiple domains, including an N-terminus, a catalytic center, and a C-terminus. These different domains give MARK4 a unique structure that is difficult to predict or study.

Despite these challenges, researchers have made significant progress in the study of MARK4. In recent years, researchers have identified a number of potential drug targets for MARK4, including those that target the N-terminus, the catalytic center, and the C-terminus. These targets could be used to develop new treatments for a range of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and developmental disorders.

In addition to its potential as a drug target, MARK4 is also an interesting biomarker. Its role in cell signaling and division makes it an attractive target for researchers to study in order to better understand the mechanisms of cell behavior. By studying the behavior of cells that have been genetically modified to express different versions of MARK4, researchers can gain insights into the effects of different versions of the protein on cell behavior.

Overall, MARK4 is a complex and fascinating protein that plays a critical role in the regulation of cell behavior. Its study has the potential to lead to new treatments for a range of diseases.

Protein Name: Microtubule Affinity Regulating Kinase 4

Functions: Serine/threonine-protein kinase (PubMed:15009667, PubMed:14594945, PubMed:23666762, PubMed:23184942). Phosphorylates the microtubule-associated protein MAPT/TAU (PubMed:14594945, PubMed:23666762). Also phosphorylates the microtubule-associated proteins MAP2 and MAP4 (PubMed:14594945). Involved in regulation of the microtubule network, causing reorganization of microtubules into bundles (PubMed:14594945, PubMed:25123532). Required for the initiation of axoneme extension during cilium assembly (PubMed:23400999). Regulates the centrosomal location of ODF2 and phosphorylates ODF2 in vitro (PubMed:23400999). Plays a role in cell cycle progression, specifically in the G1/S checkpoint (PubMed:25123532). Reduces neuronal cell survival (PubMed:15009667). Plays a role in energy homeostasis by regulating satiety and metabolic rate (By similarity). Promotes adipogenesis by activating JNK1 and inhibiting the p38MAPK pathway, and triggers apoptosis by activating the JNK1 pathway (By similarity). Phosphorylates mTORC1 complex member RPTOR and acts as a negative regulator of the mTORC1 complex, probably due to disruption of the interaction between phosphorylated RPTOR and the RRAGA/RRAGC heterodimer which is required for mTORC1 activation (PubMed:23184942). Involved in NLRP3 positioning along microtubules by mediating NLRP3 recruitment to microtubule organizing center (MTOC) upon inflammasome activation (PubMed:28656979)

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