MARCKS Human Recombinant Protein

The protein encoded by this gene is a substrate for protein kinase C. It is localized to the plasma membrane and is an actin filament crosslinking protein. Phosphorylation by protein kinase C or binding to calcium-calmodulin inhibits its association with actin and with the plasma membrane, leading to its presence in the cytoplasm. The protein is thought to be involved in cell motility, phagocytosis, membrane trafficking and mitogenesis. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

MARCKS: the most prominent cellular substrate of protein kinase C. Binds calmodulin, actin, and synapsin. A filamentous actin cross-linking protein. Critical for normal brain development. Phosphorylation by PKC displaces it from the plasma membrane, inhibiting F-actin cross-linking activity. Plays a role in growth cone adhesion: its nonphosphorylated form stabilizes integrin-mediated adhesions, and its phosphorylation-triggered release from adhesions causes localized growth cone detachment. Highly expressed in immature T and B lymphocytes: its expression is highest in CD4-8- T cells and B-cell blasts generated by antigen receptor signaling. Its expression and phosphorylation are closely linked to microglial activation processes involved in pathological conditions such as neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

Protein type: Motility/polarity/chemotaxis; Actin-binding

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 6q22.2

Cellular Component: germinal vesicle; centrosome; focal adhesion; plasma membrane; cell cortex; actin cytoskeleton

Molecular Function: calmodulin binding; actin filament binding; protein kinase C binding

Biological Process: energy reserve metabolic process; regulation of insulin secretion