Sterile Alpha Motif And Leucine Zipper Containing Kinase AZK (ZAK)

ZAK is a member of the MAPKKK family of signal transduction molecules and encodes a protein with an N-terminal kinase catalytic domain, followed by a leucine zipper motif and a sterile-alpha motif (SAM). This magnesium-binding protein forms homodimers and is located in the cytoplasm.The protein mediates gamma radiation signaling leading to cell cycle arrest and activity of this protein plays a role in cell cycle checkpoint regulation in cells. The protein also has pro-apoptotic activity. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized.Stress-activated component of a protein kinase signal transduction cascade. Regulates the JNK and p38 pathways. Pro-apoptotic. Role in regulation of S and G2 cell cycle checkpoint by direct phosphorylation of CHEK2.