This gene encodes a protein that shares a high degree of sequence similarity with p21-activated kinase (PAK) family members. The proteins of this family are Rac/Cdc42-associated Ste20-like Ser/Thr protein kinases, characterized by a highly conserved amino-terminal Cdc42/Rac interactive binding (CRIB) domain and a carboxyl-terminal kinase domain. PAK kinases are implicated in the regulation of a number of cellular processes, including cytoskeleton rearrangement, apoptosis and the MAP kinase signaling pathway. The protein encoded by this gene was found to interact with androgen receptor (AR), which is a steroid hormone-dependent transcription factor that is important for male sexual differentiation and development. The p21-activated protein kinase 6 gene was found to be highly expressed in testis and prostate tissues and the encoded protein was shown to cotranslocate into the nucleus with AR in response to androgen.
Function:
Serine/threonine protein kinase that plays a role in the regulation of gene transcription. The kinase activity is induced by various effectors including AR or MAP2K6/MAPKK6. Phosphorylates the DNA-binding domain of androgen receptor/AR and thereby inhibits AR-mediated transcription. Inhibits also ESR1-mediated transcription. May play a role in cytoskeleton regulation by interacting with IQGAP1. May protect cells from apoptosis through phosphorylation of BAD.
Subunit:
Interacts tightly with GTP-bound but not GDP-bound CDC42/p21 and RAC1. Interacts with the androgen receptor AR and the estrogen receptor ESR1. Interacts with IQGAP1 and PPM1B.
Subcellular Location:
Cytoplasm. Nucleus. Note=Cotranslocates into nucleus with AR in response to androgen induction.
Tissue Specificity:
Selectively expressed in brain and testis, with lower levels in multiple tissues including prostate and breast.
Post-translational modifications:
Autophosphorylated. Phosphorylated by MAP2K6//MAPKK6, leading to PAK6 activation.
Similarity:
Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. STE Ser/Thr protein kinase family. STE20 subfamily.
Contains 1 CRIB domain.
SWISS:
Q9NQU5
Gene ID:
56924
Database links:
Entrez Gene: 56924 Human
Omim: 608110 Human
SwissProt: Q9NQU5 Human
Unigene: 513645 Human
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