Official Full Name

p21 protein (Cdc42/Rac)-activated kinase 2

Background

Serine/threonine-protein kinase PAK 2 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PAK2 gene. The p21 activated kinases (PAK) are critical effectors that link Rho GTPases to cytoskeleton reorganization and nuclear signaling. The PAK proteins are a family of serine/threonine kinases that serve as targets for the small GTP binding proteins, CDC42 and RAC1, and have been implicated in a wide range of biological activities. The protein encoded by this gene is activated by proteolytic cleavage during caspase-mediated apoptosis, and may play a role in regulating the apoptotic events in the dying cell.

Synonyms

p21 protein (Cdc42/Rac)-activated kinase 2; PAK65; PAKgamma; PAK2; p21-activated kinase 2; S6/H4 kinase; p21 (CDKN1A)-activated kinase 2; EC 2.7.11.1; PAK-2; Gamma-PAK; p58; p21 (CDKN1A) activated kinase 2; serine/threonine-protein kinase PAK 2; PAKI; Pak3