MELK — Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase
MELK belongs to a gene co-expression module in 2 of 28 SCUBA cell types. Each module groups genes that rise and fall together in that cell type; the genes it shares a module with are its closest co-expression partners there.
MELK's module in each cell type
| Cell type | Module | Shares the module with | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD8⁺ T cells | Mitotic Spindle Assembly Cell cycle | FBXO5, LRR1, MTFR2, NCAPG2, RAD51AP1, SHCBP1, SKA1, SKA3 +3 more | View in SCUBA |
| Goblet cells | FOXM1-driven G2/M Cell cycle | CDCA5, CENPK, DIAPH3, E2F8, ESCO2, FOXM1, IQGAP3, ORC6 +5 more | View in SCUBA |
About the gene
| Synonyms | KIAA0175 |
|---|---|
| Chromosome | 9: 36572862-36677683 |
| Predicted location | Intracellular, Membrane |
| Essential gene | No |
| Protein class | Disease related genes, Enzymes, Plasma proteins, Potential drug targets, Predicted intracellular proteins, Predicted membrane proteins |
| Molecular function | Kinase, Serine/threonine-protein kinase, Transferase |
| Biological process | Apoptosis, Cell cycle |
Function
Serine/threonine-protein kinase involved in various processes such as cell cycle regulation, self-renewal of stem cells, apoptosis and splicing regulation. Has a broad substrate specificity; phosphorylates BCL2L14, CDC25B, MAP3K5/ASK1 and ZNF622. Acts as an activator of apoptosis by phosphorylating and activating MAP3K5/ASK1. Acts as a regulator of cell cycle, notably by mediating phosphorylation of CDC25B, promoting localization of CDC25B to the centrosome and the spindle poles during mitosis. Plays a key role in cell proliferation and carcinogenesis. Required for proliferation of embryonic and postnatal multipotent neural progenitors. Phosphorylates and inhibits BCL2L14, possibly leading to affect mammary carcinogenesis by mediating inhibition of the pro-apoptotic function of BCL2L14. Also involved in the inhibition of spliceosome assembly during mitosis by phosphorylating ZNF622, thereby contributing to its redirection to the nucleus. May also play a role in primitive hematopoiesis.
Human Protein Atlas · Open Targets · UniProt
Gene annotation from the Human Protein Atlas and UniProt; see sources & licences.