MARK4

MARK4 is a microtubule affinity-regulating kinase enriched in brain and hematopoietic tissue, with additional expression in adipose tissue and pancreatic beta cells. Activated by LKB1, it phosphorylates tau and related microtubule-associated proteins and has been implicated in neurodegeneration-associated tau phosphorylation. Unlike its paralogs, MARK4 deficiency in mice protects against high-fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance, reflecting effects on energy expenditure and adipose tissue biology. MARK4 additionally promotes activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages, linking the kinase to interleukin-1 beta release and inflammatory disease. Its kinase domain is amenable to selective inhibition, attracting ongoing drug discovery interest in both metabolic and inflammatory indications.