p21-activated kinases

p21 activated kinases (PAKs) are members of a family of enzymes.[1] They serve as targets for the small GTP binding proteins CDC42 and Rac and have been implicated in a wide range of biological activities.

Members include:

  • PAK1, regulating cell motility and morphology[2]
  • PAK2, possibly playing a role in apoptosis[3]
  • PAK3, possibly for dendritic development and for the rapid cytoskeletal reorganization in dendritic spines associated with synaptic plasticity[4]
  • PAK4, a mediator of filopodia formation[5]
  • PAK5, a mediator of filopodia formation[6]
  • PAK6, involved in cytoskeleton rearrangement[7]

References
  1. p21-Activated+Kinases at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
  2. "Entrez Gene: PAK1 p21/Cdc42/Rac1-activated kinase 1 (STE20 homolog, yeast)".
  3. "Entrez Gene: PAK2 p21 (CDKN1A)-activated kinase 2".
  4. "Entrez Gene: PAK3 p21 (CDKN1A)-activated kinase 3".
  5. "Entrez Gene: PAK4 p21(CDKN1A)-activated kinase 4".
  6. "PAK5 p21 (RAC1) activated kinase 5 [Homo sapiens (human)] - Gene - NCBI".
  7. "PAK6 p21 (RAC1) activated kinase 6 [Homo sapiens (human)] - Gene - NCBI".


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