Background：ZIP kinase, also named as ZIPK and Dlk, belongs to the protein kinase superfamily, CAMK Ser/Thr protein kinase family and DAP kinase subfamily. ZIP kinase is a Serine/threonine kinase which acts as a positive regulator of apoptosis. ZIP kinasephosphorylates histone H3 on 'Thr-11' at centromeres during mitosis. ZIP kinase regulates myosin light chain phosphatase through phosphorylation of MYPT1 thereby regulating the assembly of the actin cytoskeleton, cell migration, invasiveness of tumor cells, smooth muscle contraction and neurite outgrowth. It catalyze the reaction: ATP + a protein = ADP + a phosphoprotein.
