Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinase, 90kDa, Polypeptide 6 (RPS6KA6)

RPS6KA6 encodes a member of ribosomal S6 kinase family, serine-threonine protein kinases which are regulated by growth factors. The encoded protein may be distinct from other members of this family, however, as studies suggest it is not growth factor dependent and may not participate in the same signaling pathways.

The RSK4 cDNA, which was cloned from a retina cDNA library, encodes a deduced 746-amino acid protein that shares high homology with previously characterized RSK proteins RSK1, RSK2, and RSK3. Northern blot analysis detected expression of 3 transcripts of approximately 3, 6.5, and 9 kb, with the 6.5-kb transcript being most prominent. Expression was most abundant in fetal and adult kidney and brain and lower in all other tissues tested.