※ DYRK family introduction

    DYRK (Dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase) belong to CMGC family. Homology within the kinase domain can further classify this family into three subfamilies: DYRK kinases, homeodomain-interacting protein kinases (HIPKs), and pre-mRNA processing protein 4 kinases (PRP4s). Ten members have been found in human genome. DYRKs are characterized as dual-specificity protein kinases for their ability to mediate the phosphorylation of serine, threonine and tyrosine residues; however, the tyrosine phosphorylation activity is restricted to autophosphorylation. DYRKs play an important role and act as pleiotropic regulators in a variety of cellular functions, including cell survival, cell differentiation, gene transcription and endocytosis. Mutation or abnormal expressions always associate with diseases. Truncation mutants of DYRK1A result in clinical phenotypes, including microcephaly, intrauterine growth retardation, and developmental delay. Overexpression of DYRK1B has been reported in solid tumors, including colon and lung cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, and rhabdomyosarcomas, and experimental data suggest that increased amounts of DYRK1B favor tumor development (1).

Reference
1. Aranda, S., Laguna, A. and de la Luna, S. (2011) DYRK family of protein kinases: evolutionary relationships, biochemical properties, and functional roles. FASEB J, 25, 449-462. PMID: 21048044