Overview:

VRK2 (also known as vaccinia related kinase 2) is a member of the vaccinia-related kinase (VRK) family of serine/threonine protein kinases. VRK2 is widely expressed in human tissues and highly expressed in actively dividing cells, such as those in testis, leukocytes, fetal liver and carcinomas (1). VRK2 can be used to phosphorylate casein and itself undergo autophosphorylation. VRK2 interacts specifically with Epstein-Barr virus BHRF1, a homologue of Bcl-2, and this interaction is involved in protecting cells from apoptosis (2).

Gene Aliases:

none

Genbank Number:

NM_006296

References:

1. Nezu, J. et.al: Identification of two novel human putative serine/threonine kinases, VRK1 and VRK2, with structural similarity to vaccinia virus B1R kinase. Genomics 45: 327-331, 1997.

2. Li, L.-Y. et.al: The cellular protein PRA1 modulates the anti-apoptotic activity of Epstein-Barr virus BHRF1, a homologue of Bcl-2, through direct interaction. J Biol Chem 276, 27354–27362, 2001.