PKN2 gene

PKN2 (PKN2 stands for: Protein Kinase N2) is a protein coding gene located on chromosome 1p22.2.

The enzyme encoded by this gene, a protein kinase involved in specific signal transduction reactions in the cell. PKN2 protein plays a role in regulating cell cycle progression, actin cytoskeleton assembly, cell migration, cell adhesion, tumor cell invasion, and transcription activation signaling processes. The kinase phosphorylates CTTN in hyaluronan-induced astrocytes, thereby reducing the ability of CTTN to bind with filamentous actin. Phosphorylates HDAC5, resulting in impaired HDAC5 import. The kinase is a direct RhoA target and is required for regulating the maturation of primordial junctions to form apical junctions in bronchial epithelial cells. It is required for G2/M phases of the cell cycle and cleavage during cytokinesis in an ECT2-dependent manner and stimulates FYN kinase activity, which is required for the establishment of cell-cell adhesion of skin during keratinocyte differentiation.

Diseases associated with PKN2 include toe syndactyly, telecanthus, anogenital and renal malformations, and bubonic plague.

1. Bourguignon LY et al (2004) Hyaluronan-CD44 interaction with Rac1-dependent protein kinase N-gamma promotes phospholipase Cgamma1 activation, Ca(2+) signaling, and cortactin-cytoskeleton function leading to keratinocyte adhesion and differentiation. J Biol Chem 279:29654-29669.