Department of Biology, University of Padova, Italy.
Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2018 Feb;1864(2):444-453. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.11.005. Epub 2017 Nov 10.
p21-Activated kinases (PAKs) comprise a family of proteins covering a central role in signal transduction. They are downstream effectors of Rho GTPases and can affect a variety of processes in different cell types and tissues by remodeling the cytoskeleton and by promoting gene transcription and cell survival. Given the relevance of cytoskeletal organization in neuronal development as well as synaptic function and the importance of pro-survival signals in controlling neuronal cell fate, accumulating studies investigated the role of PAKs in the nervous system. In this review, we provide a critical overview of the role of PAKs in the nervous system, both in neuronal and non-neuronal cells, and discuss their potential link with neurodegenerative diseases.
p21 激活的激酶（PAKs）构成了一个蛋白家族，在信号转导中起着核心作用。它们是 Rho GTPases 的下游效应物，可以通过重塑细胞骨架和促进基因转录和细胞存活来影响不同细胞类型和组织中的多种过程。鉴于细胞骨架组织在神经元发育以及突触功能中的相关性，以及存活信号在控制神经元细胞命运中的重要性，越来越多的研究调查了 PAKs 在神经系统中的作用。在这篇综述中，我们批判性地概述了 PAKs 在神经系统中的作用，包括神经元细胞和非神经元细胞，并讨论了它们与神经退行性疾病的潜在联系。
