PAK1

Serine/threonine-protein kinase PAK 1 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PAK1 gene.

Function

PAK proteins are critical effectors that link the Rho_family_of_GTPases (Rho GTPases) to cytoskeleton reorganization and nuclear signaling. PAK proteins, a family of serine/threonine p21-activated kinases, include PAK1, PAK2, PAK3 and PAK4. These proteins serve as targets for the small GTP binding proteins Cdc42 and Rac and have been implicated in a wide range of biological activities. PAK1 regulates cell motility and morphology. Alternative transcripts of this gene have been found, but their full-length natures have not been determined.

Interactions

PAK1 has been shown to interact with:

• ARHGEF2,
• ARPC1B,
• BMX,
• C-Raf,
• CDC42,
• Cyclin-dependent kinase 5,
• DYNLL1,
• LIMK1,
• NCK1,
• PAK1IP1 and
• RAC1.

Activation/inhibition

PAK1 contains an autoinhibitory domain that suppresses the catalytic activity of its kinase domain. PAK1 activators relieve this autoinhibition and initiate conformational rearrangements and autoPhosphorylation events leading to kinase activation.

IPA-3 inhibits PAK1. Preactivated PAK1 is resistant to IPA-3. Inhibition in live cells supports a critical role for PAK in PDGF-stimulated ERK activation. Reversible covalent binding of IPA-3 to the PAK1 regulatory domain prevents GTPase docking and the subsequent switch to a catalytically active state.

PAK1 knockdown in prostate cancer cells is associated with reduced motility, reduced MMP9 secretion and increased TGFβ expression, which in these cases, is growth inhibitory. However, IPA-3's pharmacokinetic properties as well as undesirable redox effects in cells, due to the continuous reduction of the sulfhydryl moiety, make it unsuitable for clinical development.

External links

• PAK1 Info with links in the Cell Migration Gateway