Overview:

PKN2 (also known as PRK2) is a Rho effector and a member of the protein kinase C superfamily of serine/threonine kinases. PKN2 is an essential regulator of both entry into mitosis and exit from cytokinesis in HeLa S3 cells (1). PKN2 is required for abscission of the midbody at the end of the cell division cycle and for phosphorylation and activation of Cdc25B, the phosphatase required for activation of mitotic cyclin/Cdk1 complexes at the G2/M transition. C-terminus of PKN2 could be a potential drug target for effector-specific pharmacological intervention of Rho-medicated biological processes (2).

Gene Aliases:

PRKCL2, PKN2, PRK2, PAK2, Pak-2, PRO2042, MGC71074, MGC150606

Genbank Number:

NM_006256

References:

1.Schmidt A, et al: Rho GTPases regulate PRK2/PKN2 to control entry into mitosis and exit from cytokinesis. EMBO J. 2007 Mar 21;26(6):1624-36.

2.Lim W G, et al: The C-terminus of PRK2/PKNgamma is required for optimal activation by RhoA in a GTP-dependent manner. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2008 Nov 15;479(2):170-8.