Overview:

MLK3 or Mixed-Lineage Kinase 3 is a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase capable of preferentially activating MAPK8/JNK kinase and functions as a positive regulator of JNK signaling pathway (1). MLK3 can directly phosphorylate and activate IkappaB kinase α and β, and is found to be involved in the transcription activity of NF-kappaB mediated by Rho family GTPases and CDC42. MLK3 is a signal-integrating kinase with conventional MAP3K catalytic activity and additional noncatalytic functions that contribute to RAF/ERK signalling (2). MLK3 is a component of the BRAF/RAF1 complex and is required for integrity of the complex and for activation of ERK by the complex.

Gene Aliases:

MAP3K11, PTK1, SPRK, MLK3, MGC17114, MLK-3

Genbank Number:

NM_002419

References:

1. Ing, Y. L. et al: MLK-3: identification of a widely-expressed protein kinase bearing an SH3 domain and a leucine zipper-basic region domain. Oncogene 9: 1745-1750, 1994.

2. Chadee, D. N. et al: MLK3 is required for mitogen activation of B-Raf, ERK and cell proliferation. Nature Cell Biol. 6: 770-776,2004.