VRK SERINE/THREONINE KINASE 2; VRK2

Alternative titles; symbols

• VACCINIA-RELATED KINASE 2
• VACCINIA VIRUS B1R-RELATED KINASE 2

HGNC Approved Gene Symbol: VRK2

Cytogenetic location: 2p16.1 Genomic coordinates (GRCh38): 2:57,907,591-58,163,992 (from NCBI)

▼ Cloning and Expression
Nezu et al. (1997) identified vaccinia-related kinase-2 (VRK2) by its sequence similarity to VRK1 (602168). Like VRK1, the deduced 508-amino acid VRK2 protein showed similarity to the BIR serine/threonine protein kinase of vaccinia virus. Northern blot analysis showed that expression of both VRK1 and VRK2 is widespread and elevated in highly proliferative cells, such as those in testis, thymus, and fetal liver.

▼ Mapping
Nezu et al. (1997) mapped the VRK2 gene to chromosome 2p16-p15 by analysis of the Genebridge 4 radiation hybrid panel.