Overview:

SOK1 or oxidant stress-response kinase-1 is a serine/threonine kinase that is activated by autophosphorylation and by reactive oxygen intermediates, but is not activated by growth factors, alkylating agents, cytokines, or environmental stresses (1). SOK1 is expressed ubiquitously with highest expression in brain and testis. SOK1 regulates cell death after chemical anoxia, as its down-regulation by RNA interference enhances cell survival. SOK1 entry into the nucleus is important for the cell death response since SOK1 mutants unable to enter the nucleus do not induce cell death (2).

Gene Aliases:

STK25, YSK1, DKFZp686J1430

Genbank Number:

NM_006374

References:

1. Pombo, C M. et al: Activation of a human Ste20-like kinase by oxidant stress defines a novel stress response pathway. EMBO J. 15: 4537-4546, 1996.

2. Nogueira, E. et al: SOK1 translocates from the Golgi to the nucleus upon chemical anoxia and induces apoptotic cell death. J Biol Chem. 2008 Jun 6; 283(23):16248-58.