p21 Protein Activated Kinase 2 (PAK2)

PAK2 shares 73% amino acid identity with rat brain Pak65, including more than 95% identity within the kinase domain; PAK2 also shares homology with the yeast Ste20 gene. PAK2 is ubiquitously expressed, with highest levels detected in skeletal muscle, ovary, thymus, and spleen. PAK2 transcripts of 7.5, 5, 4.4, and 3 kb were detected in most tissues. The 7.5-kb transcript was predominant in all tissues tested except muscle, where the 7.5- and 3-kb transcripts were equally expressed. In brain, a 3.3-kb transcript was expressed. the multiple PAK2 mRNAs result from alternative splicing. Western blot analysis using an antibody against rat brain Pak65 detected a brain-specific PAK protein, whereas a human PAK2 antibody detected PAK proteins in heart, kidney, liver, and very strongly in purified neutrophil PAK2.