MARK4: Proteins and Enzymes

MARK4 contains an N terminal serine/threonine kinase domain, a central ubiquitin associated domain, and a C terminal KA1 associated kinase domain. RT PCR analysis detects upregulated expression of the gene for MARK4 in nearly all clinical hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Northern blot analysis reveals ubiquitous expression of a 3.6kb transcript, with highest expression in testis. Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrates homogeneous cytoplasmic expression. Colony forming assays show that MARK4 antisense reduces the growth of SNU475 cells. It has been suggested that MARK4 provides a growth advantage to cells.