MDK

Also known as ARAP, MK, NEGF2, midkine (neurite growth-promoting factor 2), midkine

Midkine (MK or MDK), also known as neurite growth-promoting factor 2 (NEGF2), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MDK gene.

Gene data

MDK

Name: midkine
Type: protein-coding
Position: 46,380,756–46,383,837 (+)
Aliases: ARAP, MK, NEGF2
Ensembl: ENSG00000110492
RefSeq RNA: NM_001012333.3, NM_001012334.2, NM_001270550.1, NM_001270551.3, NM_001270552.3
RefSeq protein: NP_001012333.1, NP_001012334.1, NP_001257479.1, NP_001257480.1, NP_001257481.1

This gene encodes a member of a small family of secreted growth factors that binds heparin and responds to retinoic acid. The encoded protein promotes cell growth, migration, and angiogenesis, in particular during tumorigenesis. This gene has been targeted as a therapeutic for a variety of different disorders. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2012].

Gene Ontology

Biological process

behavioral fear response leukocyte chemotaxis involved in inflammatory response

Article

6 sections

Contents

Role in cancer
HIV infection
Trivia
References
Further reading
External links

Midkine (MK or MDK), also known as neurite growth-promoting factor 2 (NEGF2), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MDK gene.

Midkine is a basic heparin-binding growth factor of low molecular weight, and forms a family with pleiotrophin (NEGF1, 46% homologous with MK). It is a nonglycosylated protein, composed of two domains held by disulfide bridges. It is a developmentally important retinoic acid-responsive gene product strongly induced during mid-gestation, hence the name midkine. Restricted mainly to certain tissues in the normal adult, it is strongly induced during oncogenesis, inflammation and tissue repair.