Wall-Associated Kinase

Also known as WAK, wall-associated kinases are a family of protein kinases that connect the innermost portion of the cell (the cytoplasm) to the cell wall.

It has been hypothesized that these kinases are important in communication from the inside of the cell (including most importantly the nucleus) to the surrounding environment including other cells.

The WAKs are known to be receptor-like in nature, pointing to a possible role in cell communication.

Molecular Interactions

It is known that the N-terminus of the protein kinase binds on the cell wall. The WAKs are covalently bound to the cell wall via the pectin (Calcium-rich carbohydrate acid) (structural carbohydrate) layer, which hints at a possible role of WAK (structurally similar to receptors) in cell expansion.

Because calcium is an important signal messenger/modulator, pectin (calcium-rich gel) being the anchor point to WAKs is logical.

Sources

• [1]
• [2]
• [3]

See also

• Kinase
• Protein
• List of gene families