p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) mRNA (PAK4 mRNA)

p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) mRNA is the transcript encoding the PAK4 protein, a serine/threonine kinase that belongs to the Group II PAK family. This molecule is a key effector of the Rho GTPase Cdc42 and is involved in essential cellular processes such as cytoskeletal remodeling, cell cycle progression, and the inhibition of apoptosis (UniProt P61586). PAK4 is frequently overexpressed in a wide range of malignancies, including pancreatic, breast, and ovarian cancers, where it promotes tumor cell motility and survival (PubMed: 25103497). As a therapeutic target, PAK4 mRNA can be addressed using RNA-based technologies like small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to silence the expression of the oncogenic protein. While small molecule inhibitors like KPT-9274 target the PAK4 protein and NAMPT, mRNA-targeted approaches aim to prevent the synthesis of the protein entirely, potentially offering higher specificity and overcoming resistance mechanisms associated with kinase domain mutations (PubMed: 28611104).

Other names

p21-activated kinase 4 messenger RNAPAK-4 mRNASerine/threonine-protein kinase PAK 4 mRNA

RNA interference (RNAi) or antisense-mediated degradation of mRNA to prevent translation into the PAK4 protein.