Compositions, organisms and methodologies employing a novel human kinase

Abstract

This invention provides compositions, organisms and methodologies employing a novel human protein kinase, MCRK1. The novel human kinase has sequence homology to rat myotonic dystrophy kinase-related Cdc42 binding kinase (MRCK) alpha. The gene encoding the novel kinase is localized in locus 11q13 of human chromosome 11. The novel protein kinase comprises multiple functional/structural domains that include a kinase domain, a pkinase_C domain, a DAG-PE binding domain, and a CNH domain. The sequence and structure similarity between the novel human protein and rat MRCK alpha indicates that the novel human protein may function as a downstream effector of Cdc42 in cytoskeleton reorganization.

1 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         2 . The polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of
 (a) the nucleic acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1;   (b) the complement of (a); and   (c) a nucleic acid sequence that differs from (a) or (b) due to the degeneracy of genetic code.   
     
     
         3 . The polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) the nucleic acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:3;   (b) the complement of (a); and   (c) a nucleic acid sequence that differs from (a) or (b) due to the degeneracy of genetic code.   
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence which has at least 96% sequence identity with the sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:1, or the complement thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The polynucleotide according to  claim 5 , wherein said nucleic acid sequence encodes a protein having MRCK activity. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . An isolated polypeptide comprising a fragment of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein said fragment comprises at least 260 consecutive amino acid residues. 
     
     
         9 . The isolated polypeptide according to  claim 8 , wherein said fragment comprises amino acid residues 70-337 of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         10 - 23 . (canceled)