Description
MARK4 or microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 is a member of the Par-1 family of serine/threonine protein kinases. MARK4 is predominantly expressed in the brain and readily phosphorylates Tau, MAP2 and MAP4. MARK4 co-localizes with the centrosome and microtubules in cultured cells. Overexpression of MARK4 causes thinning out of the microtubule network concomitant with the reorganization of microtubules into bundles. MARK4 provides a growth advantage to cells and the up-regulation of this kinase during focal ischemia may represent a new therapeutic target. MARK4 is expressed during the cell cycle and is linked to aberrant centrosomes in glioma cells