Recombinant Mouse Serine/Threonine-Protein Kinase VRK2, also known as Vaccinia-related kinase 2, is a recombinant protein derived from the mouse genome. It is expressed in Escherichia coli and is available as a lyophilized powder with a purity of greater than 90% as determined by SDS-PAGE . This protein is crucial for various cellular processes, including cell signaling and regulation of apoptosis.
VRK2 in humans has two isoforms: VRK2A and VRK2B. VRK2A is the major form, consisting of 508 amino acids with a transmembrane domain that localizes it to the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. In contrast, VRK2B is a shorter isoform with 397 amino acids, lacking the transmembrane domain and found in the cytosol and nucleus . The recombinant mouse VRK2 protein is full-length, comprising 503 amino acids, and is His-tagged for easy purification .
VRK2 plays significant roles in cellular processes:
Apoptosis Regulation: VRK2A interacts with Bcl-xL to modulate the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, providing protection against apoptosis .
Cell Signaling: VRK2 is involved in cell signaling pathways, potentially influencing cell survival and proliferation.
Protein-Protein Interactions: VRK2 interacts with various proteins, including Akt, to regulate lysosomal functions and viral replication .
VRK kinases, including VRK2, have been implicated in cancer progression, although detailed molecular studies are needed to fully understand their roles. The expression of VRK kinases could potentially serve as prognostic markers or therapeutic targets in various cancers .