TESK1
null TESK1 (testicular protein kinase 1) is a LISK-family kinase related to LIMK1 and LIMK2 but distinguished by an N-terminal proline-rich region in place of LIM-PDZ modules. Its kinase domain phosphorylates cofilin on the same regulatory serine used by the LIMKs, and TESK1 has been reported to be activated downstream of integrin signaling through focal adhesion kinase, rather than solely by Rho-ROCK inputs. Expression is highest in testis, where TESK1 has been implicated in spermatogenesis, with lower levels in prostate and other tissues; it is upregulated in certain prostate cancer lines. Recombinant TESK1 enables comparative studies of cofilin kinase regulation and screening of compounds selective across the LIMK/TESK group.
