Invitrogen™ Human STK17B (DRAK2), GST Tag Recombinant Protein

STK17B (also known as DRAK2) is a member of the serine/threonine kinase family and is related to death-associated protein kinase that triggers apoptosis. STK17B is selectively important for T-cell survival and inhibition of STK17B has therapeutic potential for autoimmune disease. T-cell survival depends on a balance of T-cell receptor and co-stimulatory signals and deficiency of STK17B can affect autoimmune disease susceptibility without generalized suppression of the immune system. Protein kinases play important roles in the signal transduction in response to a variety of external stimuli. Recently, several protein kinases have been identified that may also be involved in apoptotic process. Overexpression of a serine/threonine kinase, ZIP kinase can cause the morphological changes typical of apoptosis in NIH 3T3 cells. Sanjo et al, have identified two new protein kinases DRAK1 and DRAK2 (Death Receptor Associated Kinase 1 and 2). Both DRAKs and ZIP kinase share significant homology at the amino acid level. The kinase domains of both DRAKs, ZIP kinase are homologous to DAP (Death-associated protein) kinase, which is involved in the apoptotic signaling induced by interferon-g. Overexpression of DRAKs in NIH 3T3 cells lead to apoptosis. These transfection experiments suggest that C-terminal domain of DRAKs are important for induction of apoptosis.