Overview:

MARK4 or microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 is a member of the Par-1 family of serine/threonine protein kinases. MARK4 is predominantly expressed in the brain and readily phosphorylates Tau, MAP2 and MAP4. MARK4 co-localizes with the centrosome and microtubules in cultured cells. Overexpression of MARK4 causes thinning out of the microtubule network concomitant with the reorganization of microtubules into bundles (1). MARK4 provides a growth advantage to cells and the up-regulation of this kinase during focal ischaemia may represent an interesting new target for pharmacological intervention. MARK4 is expressed during the cell cycle and is linked to aberrant centrosomes in glioma cells (2).

Gene Aliases:

MARKL1; KIAA1860

Genbank Number:

NM_001199867

References:

1. Trinczek, B. et al: MARK4 is a novel microtubule-associated proteins/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase that binds to the cellular microtubule network and to centrosomes. J Biol Chem. 2004 Feb 13;279(7):5915-23.

2. Magnani, I. et.al: Multiple localization of endogenous MARK4L protein in human glioma. Cell Oncol, 2009. PMID 19759416.