CDC42 Binding Protein Kinase Beta (CDC42BPb)

CDC42BPb encodes a member of the serine/threonine protein kinase family. The encoded protein contains a Cdc42/Rac-binding p21 binding domain resembling that of PAK kinase. The kinase domain of this protein is most closely related to that of myotonic dystrophy kinase-related ROK. Studies of the similar gene in rat suggested that this kinase may act as a downstream effector of Cdc42 in cytoskeletal reorganization. The p21 GTPases, Rho and Cdc42, regulate numerous cellular functions by binding to members of a serine/threonine protein kinase subfamily. Two of these p21 GTPase-regulated kinases, the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase-related Cdc42-binding kinases (MRCKalpha and beta), have been recently characterized in rat.