Interaction between MAK-V Protein Kinase and Synaptopodin

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S. V. Kalinichenko^*, P. N. Vikhreva, and I. V. Korobko

Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova 34/5, 119334 Moscow, Russia; fax: (499) 135-4105; E-mail: skalin@rambler.ru

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received September 16, 2010; Revision received October 27, 2010

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MAK-V protein kinase (also known as HUNK) was discovered more than decade ago but its functions and molecular mechanisms of action still remain mostly unknown. In an attempt to associate MAK-V with particular chains of molecular events, we searched for proteins interacting with the C-terminal domain of MAK-V protein kinase. We identified synaptopodin as a protein interaction partner for MAK-V and confirmed this interaction in various ways. Because synaptopodin is important for dendritic spine formation and plays a role in synaptic plasticity, our results might have significant impact on future studies for understanding the role of MAK-V in cells of the nervous system.

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KEY WORDS: MAK-V/HUNK protein kinase, synaptopodin, protein–protein interactions, brain

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297911020052

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