MKL/megakaryoblastic leukemia 1 (also termed MRTFA/myocardin related transcription factor A) is a

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respon ...

that in humans is encoded by the ''MKL1''

gene In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...

Function

The protein encoded by this gene is regulated by the actin cytoskeleton and is shuttled between the cytoplasm and the nucleus as a result of actin dynamics. In the nucleus, it coactivates the transcription factor

serum response factor Serum response factor, also known as SRF, is a transcription factor protein. Function Serum response factor is a member of the MADS (MCM1, Agamous, Deficiens, and SRF) box superfamily of transcription factors. This protein binds to the serum ...

, a key regulator of smooth muscle cell differentiation, in an interaction mediated by its Basic domain. It is closely related to

MKL2 MKL/myocardin-like protein 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''MKL2'' gene In biology, the word gene (from , ; "...Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' ...

and

myocardin Myocardin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''MYOCD'' gene. Myocardin is a smooth muscle and cardiac muscle-specific transcriptional coactivator of serum response factor Serum response factor, also known as SRF, is a transcription ...

, with which it shares five key conserved structural domains.

Clinical significance

This gene is involved in a specific translocation event that creates a fusion of this gene and the RNA-binding motif protein-15 gene. This translocation has been associated with

acute megakaryocytic leukemia Acute may refer to: Science and technology * Acute angle ** Acute triangle ** Acute, a leaf shape in the glossary of leaf morphology * Acute (medicine), a disease that it is of short duration and of recent onset. ** Acute toxicity, the adverse ef ...

. It also functions in the process of normal megakaryocyte maturation.

Research

Evalarted ''MKL1'' expression is observed in breast cancer and can predict chemosensitivity and patient survival. MKL1 may be a promising biomarker of clinical value for breast cancer.

Function

Clinical significance

Research

See also

References

Further reading