PAK1 Gene Summary [Human]

This gene encodes a family member of serine/threonine p21-activating kinases, known as PAK proteins. These proteins are critical effectors that link RhoGTPases to cytoskeleton reorganization and nuclear signaling, and they serve as targets for the small GTP binding proteins Cdc42 and Rac. This specific family member regulates cell motility and morphology. Mutations in this gene have been associated with macrocephaly, seizures, and speech delay. Overexpression of this gene is also reported in many cancer types, and particularly in breast cancer. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2020]

Details

Type
Protein Coding
Official Symbol
PAK1
Official Name
p21 (RAC1) activated kinase 1 [Source:HGNC Symbol;Acc:HGNC:8590]
Ensembl ID
ENSG00000149269
Bio databases IDs NCBI: 5058 Ensembl: ENSG00000149269
Aliases p21 (RAC1) activated kinase 1, STE20 homolog, yeast
Synonyms alpha-PAK, IDDMSSD, Muk2, p21 (RAC1) activated kinase 1, p65-PAK, PAK1B, PAK20, PAKA, PAKalpha, PAK α, α-PAK
Species
Human, Homo sapiens
OrthologiesMouseRat

Protein Domains

A protein domain is a distinct structural or functional region within a protein that can evolve, function, and exist independently of the rest of the protein chain. These domains in human PAK1 often fold into stable, three-dimensional structures and are associated with specific biological functions, such as binding to DNA, other proteins, or small molecules.
  • p21 binding domain
  • protein serine/threonine kinase
  • protein kinase
  • PAK inhibitory domain
  • regulatory domain
  • G beta gamma protein binding domain
  • ATP-binding domain
  • inhibitory domain
  • Protein kinase domain
  • identical protein binding
  • proline rich domain
  • Nck-binding domain
  • Sh3 domain binding motif
  • alcohol group acceptor phosphotransferase
  • basic domain
  • Tyrosine kinase, catalytic domain
  • GTPase binding domain
  • Protein kinase (unclassified specificity)
  • protein kinase binding
  • autoinhibitory protein domain
  • autoregulatory domain
  • catalytic domain
  • Protein tyrosine and serine/threonine kinase
  • enzyme binding
  • protein binding
  • polyproline motif
  • MAP kinase kinase kinase
  • kinase
  • Serine/Threonine protein kinases, catalytic domain
  • gamma-tubulin binding
  • kinase domain
  • CRIB
  • Protein Kinases, catalytic domain
  • collagen binding
  • PIX binding domain
  • Rho-binding domain
  • Pak binding domain

Top Findings

The most significant associations for this gene, including commonly observed domains, pathway involvement, and functional highlights based on current data.
disease
  • neoplasia
  • Wilms tumorigenesis
  • cancer
  • epithelial cancer
  • epithelial neoplasia
  • liver cancer
  • squamous cell cancer
  • hepatocellular carcinoma
  • skin cancer
  • lymphomagenesis
regulated by
regulates
role in cell
  • expression in
  • function
  • proliferation
  • activity
  • fragmentation in
  • formation
  • cell death
  • apoptosis
  • dephosphorylation in
  • phosphorylation in

Subcellular Expression

Locations within the cell where the protein is known or predicted to be active, providing insight into its function and cellular context.
  • Cytoplasm
  • chromatin fraction
  • glutaminergic synapse
  • ruffle
  • focal adhesions
  • Nucleus
  • Plasma Membrane
  • vesicles
  • centrosome
  • microtubules
  • actin filaments
  • intercellular junctions
  • cytosol
  • membrane ruffles
  • synaptic membrane
  • nucleoplasm
  • nuclear envelope
  • nuclear matrix
  • synaptic vesicles
  • growth cone
  • synapse
  • Z line
  • filopodia
  • cell membrane leading edge
  • filopodial tip
  • axons
  • dendrites
  • postsynaptic density
  • phagosomes
  • lamellipodia
  • cytosolic fraction

Gene Ontology Annotations

Describes the biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions associated with the human PAK1 gene, providing context for its role in the cell.

Biological Process

Functions and activities the gene product is involved in
  • regulation of MAPK cascade
  • negative regulation of cell proliferation involved in contact inhibition
  • positive regulation of JUN kinase activity
  • positive regulation of cell proliferation
  • neuron projection morphogenesis
  • protein autophosphorylation
  • branching morphogenesis of a tube
  • Fc-gamma receptor signaling pathway involved in phagocytosis
  • protein phosphorylation
  • exocytosis
  • stimulatory C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway
  • MAPK cascade
  • chromatin remodeling
  • wound healing
  • regulation of axonogenesis
  • apoptotic process
  • phosphorylation
  • positive regulation of microtubule polymerization
  • cell migration
  • intracellular signal transduction
  • positive regulation of peptidyl-serine phosphorylation
  • positive regulation of microtubule nucleation
  • response to DNA damage stimulus
  • hepatocyte growth factor receptor signaling pathway
  • regulation of actin cytoskeleton organization
  • positive regulation of stress fiber assembly
  • ephrin receptor signaling pathway
  • positive regulation of protein phosphorylation
  • positive regulation of intracellular estrogen receptor signaling pathway
  • actin cytoskeleton organization
  • positive regulation of cell migration

Cellular Component

Where in the cell the gene product is active
  • chromosome
  • actin filament
  • plasma membrane
  • nucleoplasm
  • dendrite
  • Z disc
  • centrosome
  • nuclear membrane
  • cell-cell junction
  • focal adhesion
  • cytoplasm
  • ruffle
  • cytosol
  • ruffle membrane
  • intercalated disc
  • macromolecular complex
  • axon
  • lamellipodium

Molecular Function

What the gene product does at the molecular level
  • ATP binding
  • protein binding
  • collagen binding
  • small GTPase binding
  • protein kinase activity
  • gamma-tubulin binding
  • protein serine/threonine kinase activity

Gene-Specific Assays for Results You Can Trust

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