MAP/Microtubule Affinity Regulating Kinase 1 (MARK1)

The MARK1 gene encodes a kinase involved in the phosphorylation of microtubule-associated proteins. The microtubule array has a central role in the regulation of cell shape and polarity during differentiation, chromosome partitioning at mitosis, and intracellular transport. Microtubules undergo rearrangements involving rapid transitions between stable and dynamic states during these processes.The 870-amino acid protein is 90% identical to the rat serine/threonine kinase Mark1.  Within brain, highest levels were detected in hippocampus.The rat protein has 793 amino acids. Northern blot analysis with rat probes revealed expression of a 4.1-kb transcript with highest levels in heart and muscle.