Hormonally up-regulated Neu-associated kinase (HUNK)

Hormonally up-regulated Neu-associated kinase (HUNK) is a serine/threonine protein kinase originally identified in the murine mammary gland. It has notable homology to the SNF1/AMPK family and features unique structural domains, including a catalytic kinase domain, a SNF1 homology domain (SNH), ubiquitin-associated domain (UBA), and a distinct C-terminal domain. HUNK is highly expressed in HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines, where it promotes tumor progression and mediates resistance to HER2/ErbB2 inhibitors, likely by regulating autophagy and cell survival pathways. Although HUNK’s precise substrates and full physiological functions remain elusive, targeting HUNK is beginning to show preclinical promise for impairing breast tumor growth and overcoming drug resistance[1]. HUNK is encoded at 21q22.11 and is molecularly synonymous with MAK-V, with research focusing on its potential as a novel therapeutic target in oncology, especially breast cancer.

Other names

HUNKMAK-VB19Serine/threonine-protein kinase MAK-VHormonally up-regulated neu tumor-associated kinaseMetastasis associated protein kinase in VMR tumor family

Potential therapeutic mechanisms target HUNK’s kinase activity to block tumor growth and overcome drug resistance by inhibiting autophagy in HER2-positive breast cancer