Clinical Potential of Misshapen/NIKs-Related Kinase (MINK) 1—A Many-Sided Element of Cell Physiology and Pathology

Misshapen/NIKs-related kinase (MINK) 1 belongs to the mammalian germinal center kinase (GCK) family. It contains the N-terminal, conserved kinase domain, a coiled-coil region, a proline-rich region, and a GCK, C-terminal domain with the Citron-NIK-Homology (CNH) domain. The kinase is an essential co...

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Main Authors: Anna Kot, Dominika Koszewska, Błażej Ochman, Elżbieta Świętochowska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Current Issues in Molecular Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/46/12/826
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author Anna Kot
Dominika Koszewska
Błażej Ochman
Elżbieta Świętochowska
author_facet Anna Kot
Dominika Koszewska
Błażej Ochman
Elżbieta Świętochowska
author_sort Anna Kot
collection DOAJ
description Misshapen/NIKs-related kinase (MINK) 1 belongs to the mammalian germinal center kinase (GCK) family. It contains the N-terminal, conserved kinase domain, a coiled-coil region, a proline-rich region, and a GCK, C-terminal domain with the Citron-NIK-Homology (CNH) domain. The kinase is an essential component of cellular signaling pathways, which include Wnt signaling, JNK signaling, pathways engaging Ras proteins, the Hippo pathway, and STRIPAK complexes. It thus contributes to regulating the cell cycle, apoptosis, cytoskeleton organization, cell migration, embryogenesis, or tissue homeostasis. MINK1 plays an important role in immunological responses, inhibiting Th17 and Th1 cell differentiation and regulating NLRP3 inflammasome function. It may be considered a link between ROS and the immunological system, and a potential antiviral target for human enteroviruses. The kinase has been implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, SLE, and more. It is also involved in tumorigenesis and drug resistance in cancer. Silencing MINK1 reduces cancer cell migration, suggesting potential for new therapeutic approaches. Targeting MINK1 could be a promising treatment strategy for patients insensitive to current chemotherapies, and could improve their prognosis. Moreover, MINK1 plays an important role in the nervous system and the cardiovascular system development and function. The modulation of MINK1 activity could influence the course of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Further exploration of the activity of the kinase could also help in gaining more insight into factors involved in thrombosis or congenital heart disease. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on MINK1, highlight its therapeutic and prognostic potential, and encourage more studies in this area.
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spelling doaj-art-f1576e5dfda448aeb2c36a0fcfccf28b2025-08-20T02:55:52ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452024-12-014612138111384510.3390/cimb46120826Clinical Potential of Misshapen/NIKs-Related Kinase (MINK) 1—A Many-Sided Element of Cell Physiology and PathologyAnna Kot0Dominika Koszewska1Błażej Ochman2Elżbieta Świętochowska3Department of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 19 Jordana, 41-800 Zabrze, PolandDepartment of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 19 Jordana, 41-800 Zabrze, PolandDepartment of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 19 Jordana, 41-800 Zabrze, PolandDepartment of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 19 Jordana, 41-800 Zabrze, PolandMisshapen/NIKs-related kinase (MINK) 1 belongs to the mammalian germinal center kinase (GCK) family. It contains the N-terminal, conserved kinase domain, a coiled-coil region, a proline-rich region, and a GCK, C-terminal domain with the Citron-NIK-Homology (CNH) domain. The kinase is an essential component of cellular signaling pathways, which include Wnt signaling, JNK signaling, pathways engaging Ras proteins, the Hippo pathway, and STRIPAK complexes. It thus contributes to regulating the cell cycle, apoptosis, cytoskeleton organization, cell migration, embryogenesis, or tissue homeostasis. MINK1 plays an important role in immunological responses, inhibiting Th17 and Th1 cell differentiation and regulating NLRP3 inflammasome function. It may be considered a link between ROS and the immunological system, and a potential antiviral target for human enteroviruses. The kinase has been implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, SLE, and more. It is also involved in tumorigenesis and drug resistance in cancer. Silencing MINK1 reduces cancer cell migration, suggesting potential for new therapeutic approaches. Targeting MINK1 could be a promising treatment strategy for patients insensitive to current chemotherapies, and could improve their prognosis. Moreover, MINK1 plays an important role in the nervous system and the cardiovascular system development and function. The modulation of MINK1 activity could influence the course of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Further exploration of the activity of the kinase could also help in gaining more insight into factors involved in thrombosis or congenital heart disease. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on MINK1, highlight its therapeutic and prognostic potential, and encourage more studies in this area.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/46/12/826MINK1STRIPAKstriatinsTNIKMAP4KsWnt
spellingShingle Anna Kot
Dominika Koszewska
Błażej Ochman
Elżbieta Świętochowska
Clinical Potential of Misshapen/NIKs-Related Kinase (MINK) 1—A Many-Sided Element of Cell Physiology and Pathology
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
MINK1
STRIPAK
striatins
TNIK
MAP4Ks
Wnt
title Clinical Potential of Misshapen/NIKs-Related Kinase (MINK) 1—A Many-Sided Element of Cell Physiology and Pathology
title_full Clinical Potential of Misshapen/NIKs-Related Kinase (MINK) 1—A Many-Sided Element of Cell Physiology and Pathology
title_fullStr Clinical Potential of Misshapen/NIKs-Related Kinase (MINK) 1—A Many-Sided Element of Cell Physiology and Pathology
title_full_unstemmed Clinical Potential of Misshapen/NIKs-Related Kinase (MINK) 1—A Many-Sided Element of Cell Physiology and Pathology
title_short Clinical Potential of Misshapen/NIKs-Related Kinase (MINK) 1—A Many-Sided Element of Cell Physiology and Pathology
title_sort clinical potential of misshapen niks related kinase mink 1 a many sided element of cell physiology and pathology
topic MINK1
STRIPAK
striatins
TNIK
MAP4Ks
Wnt
url https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/46/12/826
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AT błazejochman clinicalpotentialofmisshapenniksrelatedkinasemink1amanysidedelementofcellphysiologyandpathology
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