Kinase Subfamily TESK

Kinase Classification: Group TKL: Family LISK: Subfamily TESK

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

Evolution

TESK is found across the metazoa (animals) but is lost in nematodes

Domain Structure

TESKs have an N-terminal kinase domain and a similar length (~300 AA) of unannotated C-terminal region, often proline-rich

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 |