NUAK family kinase 2 (NUAK2)

NUAK family kinase 2 is a stress-activated serine/threonine-protein kinase belonging to the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-related kinase family, encoded by the NUAK2 gene on human chromosome 1[2][5][7][9]. It plays key roles in cell signaling, notably in the regulation of the Hippo pathway, glucose starvation response, protein phosphorylation, protection from CD95-mediated apoptosis, and control of cytoskeletal dynamics affecting cell motility and invasiveness[2][9]. NUAK2 is also essential for neural tube closure during embryogenesis; its deficiency causes severe congenital defects such as anencephaly[5]. The kinase is considered a therapeutic target, especially in cancer biology, but current pharmacology is mainly preclinical, with experimental small-molecule inhibitors targeting its activity[4]. Alternate names include SNARK and Omphalocele kinase 2[1][4][6].

Other names

SNF1/AMP kinase-related kinase (SNARK)SNARKOmphalocele kinase 2 (OMPHK2)SNF1/AMP activated protein kinaseNUAK family, SNF1-like kinase, 2FLJ90349

Inhibition of kinase activity (ATP-competitive inhibition); Downregulation or blockade of signal transduction through Hippo pathway (via LATS1/2 phosphorylation); Inhibition of cytoskeletal reorganization impacting cell motility