Overview:

GCK is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is activated by TNFα and interacts with the TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2). GCK is upstream of MAP kinases and particularly activates the SAPK pathway (1). Although GCK is found in many tissues, its expression in lymphoid follicles is restricted to the cells of germinal centre, where it may participate in B-cell differentiation. A mouse protein Rab8ip that has high homology to GCK can interact with the vesicular transport protein Rab8. Based on its interaction with Rab8, it is postulated that Rab8ip/GCK may modulate secretion in response to stress stimuli (2).

Gene Aliases:

MAP4K2, BL44, RAB8IP

Genbank Number:

NM_004579

References:

1. Pombo C M, et al: Activation of the SAPK pathway by the human STE20 homologue germinal centre kinase. Nature 377: 750-754, 1995.

2. Ren M, et al: In its active form, the GTP-binding protein rab8 interacts with a stress-activated protein kinase. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 93: 5151-5155, 1996.