The serine/threonine kinase Pim-1

The human pim-1 gene encodes a serine/threonine kinase, which belongs to the group of calcium/calmodulin-regulated kinases (CAMK). It contains a characteristic kinase domain, a so-called ATP anchor and an active site. In mouse and human, two Pim-1 proteins are produced from the same gene by using an alternative upstream CUG initiation codon, a 44 kD and another, shorter 34 kD form that both contain the kinase domain. Expression of Pim-1 is widespread and ranges from the hematopoietic and lymphoid system to prostate, testis and oral epithelial cells. Two other proteins with significant sequence similarities exist, Pim-2 and Pim-3; both are also serine/threonine kinases and have largely overlapping functions. Pim-1 is able to phosphorylate different targets, most of which are involved in cell cycle progression or apoptosis. Pim-1 expression can be induced by several external stimuli in particular by a number of cytokines relevant in the immune system, which led to the labeling of Pim-1 as a “booster” for the immune response.