MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinases (MARKs) are serine/threonine kinases that phosphorylate the microtubule-associated proteins (MAP) causing their detachment from the microtubules, thereby increasing microtubule dynamics [, ]. They phosphorylate a variety of substrates, including MAPs, Dishevelled, histone deacetylase [], Doublecortin []and PSD-95 []. As their homologue in C. elegans par-1, they are involved in the establishment of cell polarity [, , , ]. They are also involved in regulating body glucose homeostasis and energy metabolism [, , ]. They share a similar structure, consisting of an N-terminal kinase domain, a ubiquitin-associated domain, and a kinase-associated domain [].There are four members of the mammalian MARK family, MARK1-4. This entry represents MARK3. Mice null for MARK3/Par-1a/C-TAK1 exhibit increased energy expenditure, reduced adiposity with unaltered glucose handling, and normal insulin sensitivity []. Both MARK3 and MARK4 associate with early tau phosphorylation in Alzheimer's disease [].
