Overview:

PAK6 is a Ser/Thr protein kinase that is a member of the PAK (p21-activated kinase) family that are implicated in the regulation of a number of cellular processes, including cytoskeleton rearrangement, apoptosis and the MAP kinase signaling pathway. PAK6 is highly expressed in the testis and prostate tissues and interacts with the androgen receptor (AR). In response to androgen, PAK6 cotranslocate into the nucleus with AR (1). PAK6 is weakly expressed in normal prostate epithelium but the expression is increased in primary and metastatic prostate cancer cells and is further increased in tumors that relapse after androgen deprivation therapy (2).

References:

1. Yang F, et al: Androgen receptor specifically interacts with a novel p21-activated kinase, PAK6. J. Biol. Chem. 276: 15345-15353, 2001.2. Kaur R, et al: Increased PAK6 expression in prostate cancer and identification of PAK6 associated proteins. Prostate. 2008 Oct 1;68(14):1510-6.