Mammalian Sterile20-like kinase 1 and the regulation of apoptosis.
Mammalian Sterile20-like kinase 1 (Mst1) is a ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine kinase which represents a member of the rapidly expanding family of enzymes related to the yeast Sterile20 kinase. Although the physiological function of Mst1 and its role in intracellular signalling is still unclear, reports to date suggest that Mst1, similar to its yeast homologue, operates in the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway and, in this capacity, may represent a putative MAPK kinase kinase kinase. Moreover, there is abundant evidence for a role of this enzyme in apoptosis, where not only is it a target for caspases, but may also serve as an activator of these proteases to amplify the apoptotic signalling pathway. This paper reviews the investigations that have led to our current understanding of the mechanisms by which Mst1 may be activated and thereby contribute to apoptosis.
de Souza
P M
PM
Department of Thoracic Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London SW3 6LY, UK. p.desouza@imperial.ac.uk
Lindsay
M A
MA
D017209:Apoptosis; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000473:pathology; D020930:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D015398:Signal Transduction
D011494:Protein Kinases; C420464:sterile 20-like protein kinase nerve injury-associated kinase; D020930:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases; D020169:Caspases