※ MLK family introduction

    MLKs (Mixed-lineage kinases) are ser/thr protein kinases which are involved in regulation of JNK and p38 MAPK pathways. MLKs contains threes subfamily, MLK, DLK and ZAK. MLK subfamily is characterized by an N-terminal SH3 domain, followed by a protein kinase domain, a leucine-zipper region and a CRIB motif. DLK subfamily contains a kinase domain and two leucine-zipper motifs. ZAK subfamily consists of a kinase domain and a SAM domain. MLKs play an important role in regulation of JNK pathways in mammalian cells which will result in diverse biological processes, including cellular transformation, activation of NF-kB pathways, neuronal apoptosis and so on (1).

Reference
1. Gallo, K.A. and Johnson, G.L. (2002) Mixed-lineage kinase control of JNK and p38 MAPK pathways. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol, 3, 663-672. PMID: 12209126