Kinase Subfamily LIMK

Kinase Classification: Group TKL: Family LISK: Subfamily LIMK

LIMK or Lim domain kinases modulate the cytoskeleton and and important in axonal outgrowth.

Evolution

LIMK is found across the holozoa.

Domain Structure

As predicted from their name, LIMK typically have a pair of N-terminal LIM domains, followed by a PDZ domain, and then a kinase domain. One of two human LIMKs, LIMK2 has a C-terminal extension encoding a PP1 inhibitor domain.

Functions

LIMK kinases phosphorylate and inactivate the actin depolymerizing factor, cofilin. They are in turn activated by small GTPases such as Rho, Rac, and cdc42 which activate [Kinase_Subfamily_Rock|ROCK] kinases, and also via [Kinase_Subamily_PAKA|PAKA] and [Kinase_Subamily_PAKB|PAKB] kinases. They have important roles in axon growth but appears to be active in many tissues.

References

1. Manning G, Young SL, Miller WT, and Zhai Y. The protist, Monosiga brevicollis, has a tyrosine kinase signaling network more elaborate and diverse than found in any known metazoan. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Jul 15;105(28):9674-9. DOI:10.1073/pnas.0801314105 |