TAO Kinase 1 Proteins and Enzymes

TAOK1, a member of the Ste20 kinase family, is a TAO type protein kinase that acts as an upstream activator to MARK by phosphorylation. When activated, MARK enhances microtubule dynamics and leads to phosphorylation and detachment of tau or equivalent MAPs from microtubules. Overexpression of MARK eventually leads to microtubule breakdown and cell death, but in neuronal cells the primary effect is to allow the development of neurites during differentiation.