HUNK
HUNK, hormonally upregulated Neu-associated kinase, is an AMPK-related serine/threonine kinase induced by HER2/Neu signaling in mammary epithelium. Expression is low in the resting mammary gland but rises during pregnancy and in HER2-driven mouse mammary tumors. Functional studies support roles in cell survival and metastatic progression, with HUNK-deficient tumors showing impaired invasion in mouse models. Mechanistic work has connected HUNK to autophagy regulation through reported phosphorylation of Beclin 1 and to motility through myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation, linking the kinase to cytoskeletal and degradative machinery. Its association with aggressive breast cancer phenotypes has prompted interest in HUNK as a therapeutic vulnerability in HER2-positive disease.
