The cDNA sequence predicts a 984-amino acid polypeptide. Expression of this cDNA in COS cells produced a 130-kD protein product that was capable of autophosphorylation, indicating intrinsic kinase activity. Using Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses to examine expression patterns in a wide variety of tissues, Palmer et al. (1995) detected PRK2 expression in DX3 B-cell myeloma cells only. Yu et al. (1997) purified a protein kinase, termed PAK2, from rat liver and showed that the corresponding gene is the rat homolog of human PRK2. PAK2 has biochemical properties similar to, but distinct from PRK1/PAK1. PAK2 is activated by lipids, particularly cardiolipin.The International Radiation Hybrid Mapping Consortium mapped the PKN2 gene to chromosome 1