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Updated: May 27, 2026

Characterization at the Molecular Level using Robust Biochemical Approaches of a New Kinase Protein
Published on: June 30, 2019
Identification and functional characterization of polo-like kinase 2 autoregulatory sites
1Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3900 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20057-1464, USA.
Abstract:
Polo family kinases play important roles in cellular proliferation as well as neuronal synaptic plasticity. However, the posttranslational regulation of these kinases is not fully understood. Here, we identified several novel Plk2 phosphorylation sites stimulated by Plk2 itself. By site-directed mutagenesis, we uncovered three additional hyperactivating Plk2 mutations as well as a series of residues regulating Plk2 steady-state expression level. Because of the established role of Plk2 in homeostatic negative control of excitatory synaptic strength, these phosphorylation sites could play an important role in the rapid activation, expansion, and prolongation of Plk2 signaling in this process.
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