Inositol Polyphosphate Multikinase Signaling: Multifaceted Functions in Health and Disease

Mol Cells. 2021 Apr 30;44(4):187-194. doi: 10.14348/molcells.2021.0045.

Abstract

Inositol phosphates are water-soluble intracellular signaling molecules found in eukaryotes from yeasts to mammals, which are synthesized by a complex network of enzymes including inositol phosphate kinases. Among these, inositol polyphosphate multikinase (IPMK) is a promiscuous enzyme with broad substrate specificity, which phosphorylates multiple inositol phosphates, as well as phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. In addition to its catalytic actions, IPMK is known to non-catalytically control major signaling events via direct protein-protein interactions. In this review, we describe the general characteristics of IPMK, highlight its pleiotropic roles in various physiological and pathological conditions, and discuss future challenges in the field of IPMK signaling pathways.

Keywords: cell signaling; disease; inositol phosphate; inositol polyphosphate multikinase.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)
  • inositol polyphosphate multikinase