Choline Kinase (胆碱激酶)

Choline kinase (also known as CK, ChoK and choline phosphokinase) is an enzyme which catalyzes the first reaction in the choline pathway for phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is synthesized through the Kennedy pathway. In the initial step, choline is converted to phosphocholine by Choline Kinase in a reaction catalyzed by one of two enzymatic forms: choline kinase α (CHKα) and choline kinase β (CHKβ). The CHKA gene produces two proteins, CHKα1 and CHKα2, through alternative splicing. All isoforms of choline kinases catalyze the same biochemical reaction: the formation of phosphocholine. CHKα and CHKβ form homodimers and heterodimers. The expression and activity of Choline Kinases are regulated during transcription, at the mRNA level and by post-translational modification. CHKα expression is directly regulated by miR-367-3p11 and miR-876-5p. Choline kinase activity can be regulated by various proteins acting on CHKα or CHKβ. Choline kinase activity can also be regulated by changes in CHKα protein stability. Choline kinase plays an important role in various tumor types^[1].