Overview:

MLCK or myosin light chain kinase is a muscle member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily and is a calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase. MLCK is a regulatory protein for smooth muscle contraction, which acts by phosphorylating 20-kDa myosin light chain (MLC20) to activate the myosin ATPase activity. The kinase activity for the phosphorylation is localized at the central part of MLCK, which is also furnished with actin-binding activity at its N terminal and myosin-binding activity at its C terminal (1). Phosphorylation of regulatory light chain of myosin plays an important role in controlling the morphological changes seen during cell division (2).

Gene Aliases:

MYLK, KRP, MLCK108, MLCK210, MSTP083, FLJ12216, DKFZp686I10125

Genbank Number:

NM_053025

References:

1. Gao, Y. et al: Myosin light chain kinase as a multifunctional regulatory protein of smooth muscle contraction. IUBMB Life. 2001 Jun;51(6):337-44.

2. Matsumura, F. et al: Role of myosin light chain phosphorylation in the regulation of cytokinesis. Cell Struct Funct. 2001 Dec;26(6):639-44.