MELK
MELK (maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase, also known as KIAA0175) is a serine/threonine-protein kinase that acts in cell cycle regulation, stem cell self-renewal, apoptosis and splicing regulation. It has a broad substrate specificity and is linked to cell proliferation and carcinogenesis. Browse Assay Genie's current range of MELK research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
MELK is a serine/threonine-protein kinase with broad substrate specificity. It phosphorylates BCL2L14, CDC25B, MAP3K5/ASK1 and ZNF622, and through these substrates it contributes to several cellular processes. By phosphorylating and activating MAP3K5/ASK1, MELK acts as an activator of apoptosis. By phosphorylating CDC25B, it promotes localisation of CDC25B to the centrosome and spindle poles during mitosis, which makes it a regulator of the cell cycle. MELK also phosphorylates and inhibits BCL2L14, possibly affecting mammary carcinogenesis by suppressing the pro-apoptotic function of BCL2L14. During mitosis it helps inhibit spliceosome assembly by phosphorylating ZNF622, thereby contributing to its redirection to the nucleus.
The MELK gene encodes a protein that belongs to the protein kinase superfamily, in the CAMK Ser/Thr protein kinase family and SNF1 subfamily. HGNC places it in the MELK family kinases. NCBI Gene annotates calcium ion binding, protein serine/threonine kinase activity and non-membrane spanning protein tyrosine kinase activity, along with protein autophosphorylation. The protein is located in the cell cortex and plasma membrane. A mouse ortholog, Melk, is recorded.
Functionally, MELK plays a key role in cell proliferation and carcinogenesis. It is required for proliferation of embryonic and postnatal multipotent neural progenitors, is involved in the self-renewal of stem cells, and may also play a role in primitive haematopoiesis. The name reflects the maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase designation, and KIAA0175 is a recorded alias. Researchers studying MELK often use a MELK antibody or MELK ELISA kit to examine expression and signalling.
MELK phosphorylates CDC25B and promotes its localisation to the centrosome and spindle poles during mitosis.
MELK activates MAP3K5/ASK1 and inhibits BCL2L14, making it relevant to the balance of pro- and anti-apoptotic signals.
MELK plays a key role in cell proliferation and carcinogenesis, including a proposed link to mammary carcinogenesis.
MELK supports stem cell self-renewal and is required for proliferation of embryonic and postnatal multipotent neural progenitors.
MELK is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates the cell cycle, apoptosis, stem cell self-renewal and splicing. It phosphorylates substrates including BCL2L14, CDC25B, MAP3K5/ASK1 and ZNF622, and it plays a key role in cell proliferation and carcinogenesis.
The approved HGNC name is maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase, and KIAA0175 is a recorded alias. MELK belongs to the MELK family kinases and to the CAMK Ser/Thr protein kinase family, SNF1 subfamily. The enzyme is classified as EC 2.7.11.1.
A mouse ortholog, Melk, is recorded for the human MELK gene. Because the protein is linked to proliferation of neural progenitors and to carcinogenesis, it is studied in model systems. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Substrates of MELK and other proteins in cell cycle and apoptosis signalling that have products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q14680; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.