Mixed Lineage Kinase Domain Like Protein (MLKL)

MLKL, Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. The protein kinase domain is predicted to be catalytically inactive. Protein kinases are critical modulators in the signal pathway of tumor cells and therefore a suitable object of drug development using inhibitors for such kinases. Sequence analysis of MLKL identified a kinase domain within the C-terminus of the protein. Further data support the idea that MLKL specifically can regulate more than one signaling pathway. However, the specific function of MLKL was not known yet.

The apoptotic activity of MLKL was in fact higher compared to known tumor suppressors such as CDKN1A, PTEN, TP53, or MYC. These findings suggest MLKL as a new target for cancer diagnostic and/or therapy.