The p21 activated kinases (Paks) are well known effector proteins for the Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac. The Paks contain 6 members, which fall into 2 families of proteins. The first family consists of Paks 1, 2, and 3, and the second consists of Paks 4, 5, and 6. While some of the Paks are ubiquitously expressed, others have more restrictive tissue specificity. All of them are found in the nervous system. Studies using cell culture, transgenic mice, and knockout mice, have revealed important roles for the Paks in cytoskeletal organization and in many aspects of cell growth and development. This review discusses the basic structures of the Paks, and their roles in cell growth, development, and in cancer.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4160339 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/sgtp.28003 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Transketolase promotes osteosarcoma progression through the YY1-PAK4 axis.
FEBS J
January 2025
Department of Orthopedics, Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumor that occurs in adolescents, proliferates and is prone to pulmonary metastasis. Osteosarcoma is characterized by high genotypic heterogeneity, making it difficult to identify reliable anti-osteosarcoma targets. The genotype of osteosarcoma may be highly dynamic, but its high dependence on energy remains constant.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTargeting p21-Positive Senescent Chondrocytes via IL-6R/JAK2 Inhibition to Alleviate Osteoarthritis.
Adv Sci (Weinh)
January 2025
Department of Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, No.7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related degenerative joint disease, prominently influenced by the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). Although elevated IL-6 levels in joint fluid are well-documented, the uneven cartilage degeneration observed in knee OA patients suggests additional underlying mechanisms. This study investigates the role of interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) in mediating IL-6 signaling and its contribution to OA progression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEthyl Acetate Extract of Activates the P21/Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway to Alleviate Oxidative Stress in a Mouse Model of Alcoholic Liver Disease.
Metabolites
January 2025
College of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China.
Background: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a significant global health concern, primarily resulting from chronic alcohol consumption, with oxidative stress as a key driver. The ethyl acetate extract of (CGE) exhibits antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, but its detailed mechanism of action against ALD remains unclear. This study investigates the effects and mechanisms of CGE in alleviating alcohol-induced oxidative stress and liver injury.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIdentification of Potential Selective PAK4 Inhibitors Through Shape and Protein Conformation Ensemble Screening and Electrostatic-Surface-Matching Optimization.
Curr Issues Mol Biol
January 2025
College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) plays a crucial role in the proliferation and metastasis of various cancers. However, developing selective PAK4 inhibitors remains challenging due to the high homology within the PAK family. Therefore, developing highly selective PAK4 inhibitors is critical to overcoming the limitations of existing inhibitors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Gene Product STIL Is Essential for Dendritic Spine Formation.
Cells
January 2025
Department of Cellular Pathology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, Kasugai 480-0392, Aichi, Japan.
Dendritic spine formation/maintenance is highly dependent on actin cytoskeletal dynamics, which is regulated by small GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42 through their downstream p21-activated kinase/LIM-kinase-I/cofilin pathway. ARHGEF7, also known as ß-PIX, is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rac1 and Cdc42, thereby activating Rac1/Cdc42 and the downstream pathway, leading to the upregulation of spine formation/maintenance. We found that STIL, one of the primary microcephaly gene products, is associated with ARHGEF7 in dendritic spines and that knockdown of resulted in a significant reduction in dendritic spines in neurons both in vitro and in vivo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!