The identification and subcellular localization of human MRK

A novel human kinase gene, human MRK (hMRK), was cloned by using degenerate RT-PCR. The hMRK encoded a putative 632 amino acids protein and was highly homologous to rat MRK (rMRK) in the entire coding region. The hMRK was located at chromosome 6p12.3 by RH-PCR analysis. The hMRK was generally expressed a single approximately 6.3 kb transcript at a low level in a variety of tissues except at a high level in testis. The full-length hMRK protein was fused to C-terminal of GFP and expressed in Hela cells. The fluorescence microscopy results identified its nuclear localization.