p21-activated kinase family: promising new drug targets

Figures & data

Figure 1 Structure of PAKs.

Notes: The regulatory domain of group I PAKs contains a PBD overlapping with an AID. Group II PAKs do not have the AID, but instead an AID-like region adjacent to the PBD.
Abbreviations: PBD, p21 binding domain; AID, autoinhibitory domain; PAKs, p21-activated kinases; N, N-terminal; C, C-terminal.

Figure 2 PAK1 functions as a node for multiple signaling pathways.

Notes: PAK1 facilitates cross-talk between the two important effectors of Ras signaling, ie, the Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways. PAK1 connects Ras to Wnt signaling pathways, via phosphorylation of β-catenin, modulating downstream cellular processes that favor tumor growth and metastasis.
Abbreviations: PAK, p21-activated kinase; LIMK, LIM kinase; PI3K, phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase.