Overview:

MARK2 or microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 2 is a member of the Par-1 family of serine/threonine protein kinases. MARK2 is an important regulator of cell polarity in epithelial and neuronal cells and controls the stability of microtubules through phosphorylation and inactivation of several microtubule-associating proteins (1). MARK2 is a key target of H. pylori CagA in the disorganization of gastric epithelial architecture underlying mucosal damage, inflammation, and carcinogenesis (2). MARK2 phosphorylates kinesin-like motor protein GAKIN/KIF13B to regulate axon formation. MARK2 function in the establishment of T cell polarity following engagement to an APC.

Gene Aliases:

EMK1, PAR-1, MGC99619

Genbank Number:

NM_001039469

References:

1. Yoshimura, Y. et.al: Polarity-regulating kinase partitioning-defective 1/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 2 negatively regulates development of dendrites on hippocampal neurons. . J. Neurosci. 27:13098-13107, 2010

2. Saadat, I. et.al: Helicobacter pylori CagA targets PAR1/MARK kinase to disrupt epithelial cell polarity. Nature 447: 330-333, 2007.