PRPK

PRPk, commonly written as PRPK and also known as TP53-regulated kinase, is a protein kinase found in eukaryotes. The name reflects its proposed involvement in the regulation of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. In humans, the TP53RK gene encodes the PRPK enzyme, which is conserved in mammals and other vertebrates.

PRPK is a serine/threonine kinase categorized as part of the eukaryotic protein kinase superfamily. It is implicated in cellular responses to DNA damage and stress, and is believed to influence p53 activity and downstream transcriptional programs that govern cell cycle progression and apoptosis. The full spectrum of its substrates is not completely known, and research continues to define its precise molecular targets.

Localization studies indicate PRPK is primarily cytoplasmic, with detectable nuclear presence under certain conditions, and it can associate with other components of the p53 signaling network. Its expression is observed across a range of tissues, and orthologs exist in common model organisms such as mice.

In research contexts, altered PRPK expression or function has been reported in certain cancers and other diseases, making it a focus of studies on tumor biology and potentially as a therapeutic target. However, as of now, PRPK remains an area of active investigation, and many aspects of its regulatory mechanisms and physiological roles remain to be fully resolved.