TAOK2
TAOK2 (TAO kinase 2, also known as TAO2, PSK, PSK1 and MAP3K17) is a serine/threonine-protein kinase of the STE20 subfamily. It activates the p38 MAPK stress-signalling pathway and contributes to the DNA damage response, apoptotic membrane blebbing and microtubule organisation. Browse Assay Genie's current range of TAOK2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
TAOK2 is a serine/threonine-protein kinase that phosphorylates itself, myelin basic protein, activated MAPK8, MAP2K3, MAP2K6 and tubulins. It activates the MAPK14/p38 MAPK pathway by phosphorylating the upstream kinases MAP2K3 and MAP2K6. In response to DNA damage it is involved in the G2/M transition checkpoint, probably through this same p38 stress-activated cascade. It also prevents MAP3K7-mediated activation of CHUK, and so NF-kappa-B activation, without affecting MAPK8/JNK activation, and may play a role in the osmotic stress-MAPK8 pathway.
The two main isoforms of the TAO kinase 2 protein have distinct roles. Isoform 1 contributes to apoptotic morphological changes such as cell contraction, membrane blebbing and apoptotic bodies formation. This requires MAPK8/JNK activation and nuclear localisation of a C-terminally truncated form, and may be linked to the mitochondrial CASP9-associated death pathway. Isoform 1 also binds microtubules and affects their organisation and stability independently of its kinase activity. Isoform 2 is required for PCDH8 endocytosis: after homophilic PCDH8 interactions it phosphorylates and activates p38 MAPK, which in turn phosphorylates isoform 2, leading to PCDH8 endocytosis and CDH2 cointernalisation. Both isoforms are involved in MAPK14 phosphorylation.
TAOK2 belongs to the protein kinase superfamily, STE Ser/Thr protein kinase family, STE20 subfamily, and is classed by HGNC with the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases and the TAO kinase family, alongside TAOK1. It is found in cytoplasmic vesicle membranes, the cytoskeleton, the nucleus and dendrites. NCBI Gene annotation links it to mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase binding, neuropilin binding, focal adhesion assembly and positive regulation of MAPK cascade. Mouse and rat both carry a Taok2 ortholog.
TAOK2 activates MAP2K3 and MAP2K6, making it a useful point of entry for studying how stress signals reach the p38 MAPK cascade.
The kinase is involved in the G2/M DNA damage checkpoint through p38 activation, relevant to studies of cell-cycle arrest after genotoxic stress.
Isoform 1 drives membrane blebbing and apoptotic bodies formation, linking TAOK2 to the cytoskeletal changes seen during programmed cell death.
TAOK2 binds microtubules and, through isoform 2, mediates PCDH8 endocytosis, and it is found in dendrites, making it relevant to cytoskeletal and neuronal signalling work.
TAOK2 is a serine/threonine kinase that activates the p38 MAPK pathway by phosphorylating MAP2K3 and MAP2K6. It contributes to the G2/M DNA damage checkpoint, apoptotic membrane blebbing, microtubule organisation and PCDH8 endocytosis, depending on the isoform.
TAOK2 is also called TAO2, PSK, PSK1, PSK-1, MAP3K17, KIAA0881, hKFC-C, PSK1-BETA and Tao2beta. UniProt describes two functionally distinct isoforms: isoform 1 acts in apoptotic morphology and microtubule binding, while isoform 2 is required for PCDH8 endocytosis.
Yes. Mouse and rat each have an ortholog named Taok2. In humans, TAOK2 belongs to the TAO kinase family with TAOK1, within the STE20 subfamily. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
TAOK1, the other member of the TAO kinase family, with related MAPK signalling targets from Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9UL54; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.