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STK4 serine/threonine kinase 4 [ Homo sapiens (human) ]

Gene ID: 6789, updated on 6-Jul-2026
Official Symbol
STK4provided by HGNC
Official Full Name
serine/threonine kinase 4provided by HGNC
Primary source
HGNC:HGNC:11408
See related
Ensembl:ENSG00000101109 MIM:604965; AllianceGenome:HGNC:11408
Gene type
protein coding
RefSeq status
REVIEWED
Organism
Homo sapiens
Lineage
Eukaryota; Metazoa; Chordata; Craniata; Vertebrata; Euteleostomi; Mammalia; Eutheria; Euarchontoglires; Primates; Haplorrhini; Catarrhini; Hominidae; Homo
Also known as
KRS2; MST1; YSK3
Summary
The protein encoded by this gene is a cytoplasmic kinase that is structurally similar to the yeast Ste20p kinase, which acts upstream of the stress-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. The encoded protein can phosphorylate myelin basic protein and undergoes autophosphorylation. A caspase-cleaved fragment of the encoded protein has been shown to be capable of phosphorylating histone H2B. The particular phosphorylation catalyzed by this protein has been correlated with apoptosis, and it's possible that this protein induces the chromatin condensation observed in this process. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Annotation information
Note: MST1 (Gene ID: 4485) and STK4 (Gene ID: 6789) share the MST1 symbol/alias in common. MST1 is a widely used alternative name for serine/threonine kinase 4 (STK4), which can be confused with the official symbol for macrophage stimulating 1 (MST1). [01 Jun 2018]
Expression
Broad expression in lymph node (RPKM 17.1), appendix (RPKM 14.6) and 24 other tissues See more
Orthologs
all
Try the new Gene page
Try the new Transcripts and proteins table
See STK4 in Genome Data Viewer
Location:
20q13.12
Exon count:
15
Annotation release Status Assembly Chr Location
RS_2025_08 current GRCh38.p14 (GCF_000001405.40) 20 NC_000020.11 (44966512..45080021)
RS_2025_08 current T2T-CHM13v2.0 (GCF_009914755.1) 20 NC_060944.1 (46702402..46815925)
RS_2024_09 previous assembly GRCh37.p13 (GCF_000001405.25) 20 NC_000020.10 (43595153..43708662)

Chromosome 20 - NC_000020.11Genomic Context describing neighboring genes Neighboring gene uncharacterized LOC124904912 Neighboring gene translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 34 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 17941 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 17942 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 17943 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 12951 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 12952 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 17944 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 12953 Neighboring gene STK4 divergent transcript Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 12954 Neighboring gene potassium voltage-gated channel modifier subfamily S member 1 Neighboring gene H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr20:43743251-43743752 Neighboring gene H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr20:43743753-43744252 Neighboring gene WAP four-disulfide core domain 5

Go to nucleotide: Graphics FASTA GenBank

  • Project title: Tissue-specific circular RNA induction during human fetal development
  • Description: 35 human fetal samples from 6 tissues (3 - 7 replicates per tissue) collected between 10 and 20 weeks gestational time were sequenced using Illumina TruSeq Stranded Total RNA
  • BioProject: PRJNA270632
  • Publication: PMID 26076956
  • Analysis date: Mon Apr 2 22:54:59 2018

Related articles in PubMed

  1. Prognostic significance of mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 in breast cancer. Lin X, et al. Tumour Biol, 2013 Oct. PMID 23737290
  2. The Mammalian Sterile 20-like 1 Kinase Controls Selective CCR7-Dependent Functions in Human Dendritic Cells. Torres-Bacete J, et al. J Immunol, 2015 Aug 1. PMID 26116501
  3. Identical Twins with a Mutation in the STK4 Gene Showing Clinical Manifestations of the Mutation at Different Ages: A Case Report. Abolnezhadian F, et al. Iran J Immunol, 2020 Dec. PMID 33382390
  4. STK4 (MST1) deficiency in two siblings with autoimmune cytopenias: A novel mutation. Halacli SO, et al. Clin Immunol, 2015 Dec. PMID 26117625
  5. Biochemical analysis of MST1 kinase: elucidation of a C-terminal regulatory region. Anand R, et al. Biochemistry, 2008 Jun 24. PMID 18510339, Free PMC Article

See all (245) citations in PubMed

GeneRIFs: Gene References Into Functions

What's a GeneRIF?
  1. Association Study between SNPs in MST1 and MST2 and H. pylori Infection as well as Noncardia Gastric Carcinogenesis.
    Title: Association Study between SNPs in MST1 and MST2 and H. pylori Infection as well as Noncardia Gastric Carcinogenesis.
  2. MST1 knockdown inhibits osteoarthritis progression through Parkin-mediated mitophagy and Nrf2/NF-kappaB signalling pathway.
    Title: MST1 knockdown inhibits osteoarthritis progression through Parkin-mediated mitophagy and Nrf2/NF-κB signalling pathway.
  3. The Mst1/2-BNIP3 axis is required for mitophagy induction and neuronal viability under mitochondrial stress.
    Title: The Mst1/2-BNIP3 axis is required for mitophagy induction and neuronal viability under mitochondrial stress.
  4. Smurf1 polyubiquitinates on K285/K282 of the kinases Mst1/2 to attenuate their tumor-suppressor functions.
    Title: Smurf1 polyubiquitinates on K285/K282 of the kinases Mst1/2 to attenuate their tumor-suppressor functions.
  5. STK4 is a prognostic biomarker correlated with immune infiltrates in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
    Title: STK4 is a prognostic biomarker correlated with immune infiltrates in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
  6. MST1 downregulates TAZ tumor suppressor protein in multiple myeloma and is a potential therapeutic target.
    Title: MST1 downregulates TAZ tumor suppressor protein in multiple myeloma and is a potential therapeutic target.
  7. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in serine/threonine kinase 4 (STK4) deficiency: Report of two cases and literature review.
    Title: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in serine/threonine kinase 4 (STK4) deficiency: Report of two cases and literature review.
  8. Mammalian STE20-like kinase-1/2 are activated in human platelets stimulated by collagen or thrombin and play a vital role in collagen-activated platelets.
    Title: Mammalian STE20-like kinase-1/2 are activated in human platelets stimulated by collagen or thrombin and play a vital role in collagen-activated platelets.
  9. Crosstalk between the Hippo Pathway and the Wnt Pathway in Huntington's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders.
    Title: Crosstalk between the Hippo Pathway and the Wnt Pathway in Huntington's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders.
  10. LncRNA GAS5 enhances tumor stem cell-like medicated sensitivity of paclitaxel and inhibits epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by targeting the miR-18a-5p/STK4 pathway in prostate cancer.
    Title: LncRNA GAS5 enhances tumor stem cell-like medicated sensitivity of paclitaxel and inhibits epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by targeting the miR-18a-5p/STK4 pathway in prostate cancer.
Submit: New GeneRIF Correction See all GeneRIFs (115)

Find tests for this gene in the NIH Genetic Testing Registry (GTR)

Review eQTL and phenotype association data in this region using PheGenI

Associated conditions

Description Tests
Combined immunodeficiency due to STK4 deficiency
MedGen: C3553943 OMIM: 614868 GeneReviews: Not available
not available

See variants in ClinVar

See studies and variants in dbVar

See Variation Viewer (GRCh37.p13)

Products Interactant Other Gene Complex Source Pubs Description

Markers

Homology

Clone Names

  • DKFZp686A2068

Gene Ontology Provided by GOA

Function Evidence Code Pubs
enables ATP binding IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
enables ATP binding IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
enables RNA polymerase II-specific DNA-binding transcription factor binding IPI
Inferred from Physical Interaction
more info
 PubMed 
enables identical protein binding IPI
Inferred from Physical Interaction
more info
 PubMed 
enables magnesium ion binding IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
enables magnesium ion binding IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
enables protein binding IPI
Inferred from Physical Interaction
more info
 PubMed 
enables protein homodimerization activity IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
enables protein kinase activity IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
enables protein kinase activity IGI
Inferred from Genetic Interaction
more info
 PubMed 
enables protein serine kinase activity EXP
Inferred from Experiment
more info
 PubMed 
enables protein serine kinase activity IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
enables protein serine/threonine kinase activator activity IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
enables protein serine/threonine kinase activator activity TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
enables protein serine/threonine kinase activity EXP
Inferred from Experiment
more info
 PubMed 
enables protein serine/threonine kinase activity IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
enables protein serine/threonine kinase activity IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
enables protein serine/threonine kinase activity IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
Process Evidence Code Pubs
involved_in anatomical structure morphogenesis IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
involved_in apoptotic process IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in apoptotic process IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
acts_upstream_of_or_within cell morphogenesis IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in hippo signaling IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
involved_in hippo signaling IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in hippo signaling IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
involved_in hippo signaling TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in intracellular signal transduction IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in negative regulation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
involved_in negative regulation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
involved_in negative regulation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway IMP
Inferred from Mutant Phenotype
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in peptidyl-serine phosphorylation IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in positive regulation of apoptotic process IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
involved_in positive regulation of apoptotic process IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in positive regulation of apoptotic process IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
acts_upstream_of_or_within positive regulation of hippo signaling IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in positive regulation of hippo signaling IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
acts_upstream_of_or_within positive regulation of peptidyl-serine phosphorylation IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
acts_upstream_of_or_within positive regulation of protein phosphorylation IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in positive regulation of substrate-dependent cell migration, cell attachment to substrate IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
acts_upstream_of_or_within protein autophosphorylation IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in protein import into nucleus IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in protein import into nucleus IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
involved_in protein import into nucleus IGI
Inferred from Genetic Interaction
more info
 PubMed 
acts_upstream_of_or_within protein phosphorylation IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in protein phosphorylation IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
acts_upstream_of_or_within protein stabilization IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in protein stabilization IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
involved_in protein tetramerization IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
involved_in regulation of MAPK cascade IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
involved_in signal transduction IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
involved_in signal transduction TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
Component Evidence Code Pubs
is_active_in cytoplasm IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
is_active_in cytoplasm IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
located_in cytoplasm IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
located_in cytoplasm IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
located_in cytosol IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
  
located_in cytosol TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
  
located_in nuclear body IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
  
located_in nucleoplasm IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
  
located_in nucleus IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
located_in nucleus IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
part_of protein-containing complex IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
Preferred Names
serine/threonine-protein kinase 4
Names
STE20-like kinase MST1
hippo homolog
kinase responsive to stress 2
mammalian STE20-like protein kinase 1
mammalian sterile 20-like 1
serine/threonine-protein kinase Krs-2
NP_001339314.1
NP_006273.1
XP_005260589.1
XP_011527320.1
XP_016883520.1
XP_016883522.1
XP_047296381.1
XP_047296382.1
XP_054179906.1
XP_054179907.1
XP_054179908.1
XP_054179909.1
XP_054179910.1

NEW Try the new Transcript table

RefSeqs maintained independently of Annotated Genomes

These reference sequences exist independently of genome builds. Explain

These reference sequences are curated independently of the genome annotation cycle, so their versions may not match the RefSeq versions in the current genome build. Identify version mismatches by comparing the version of the RefSeq in this section to the one reported in Genomic regions, transcripts, and products above.

Genomic

  1. NG_032172.1 RefSeqGene

    Range
    5001..118475
    Download
    GenBank, FASTA, Sequence Viewer (Graphics), LRG_535

mRNA and Protein(s)

  1. NM_001352385.2 → NP_001339314.1  serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 isoform 2

    Status: REVIEWED

    Source sequence(s)
    AK027088, AL109839, BC038850, Z93016
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS86957.1
    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    A0PJ51
    Related
    ENSP00000361887.1, ENST00000372801.5
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    cd06612
    Location:26 → 281
    STKc_MST1_2; Catalytic domain of the Serine/Threonine Kinases, Mammalian STe20-like protein kinase 1 and 2

  2. NM_006282.5 → NP_006273.1  serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 isoform 1

    See identical proteins and their annotated locations for NP_006273.1

    Status: REVIEWED

    Source sequence(s)
    AK027088, AL597960, U60207, Z93016
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS13341.1
    UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
    B2RCR8, Q13043, Q15802, Q4G156, Q5H982, Q6PD60, Q9BR32, Q9NTZ4
    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    Q59FZ4
    Related
    ENSP00000361892.3, ENST00000372806.8
    Conserved Domains (3) summary
    cd06612
    Location:26 → 281
    STKc_MST1_2; Catalytic domain of the Serine/Threonine Kinases, Mammalian STe20-like protein kinase 1 and 2
    smart00220
    Location:30 → 281
    S_TKc; Serine/Threonine protein kinases, catalytic domain
    pfam11629
    Location:433 → 480
    Mst1_SARAH; C terminal SARAH domain of Mst1

RNA

  1. NR_147974.2 RNA Sequence

    Status: REVIEWED

    Source sequence(s)
    AL109839, BC039023
    Related
    ENST00000487587.3

  2. NR_147975.2 RNA Sequence

    Status: REVIEWED

    Source sequence(s)
    AL109839

RefSeqs of Annotated Genomes: GCF_000001405.40-RS_2025_08

The following sections contain reference sequences that belong to a specific genome build. Explain

Reference GRCh38.p14 Primary Assembly

Genomic

  1. NC_000020.11 Reference GRCh38.p14 Primary Assembly

    Range
    44966512..45080021
    Download
    GenBank, FASTA, Sequence Viewer (Graphics)

mRNA and Protein(s)

  1. XM_017028031.3 → XP_016883520.1  serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 isoform X1

    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    Q59FZ4
    Conserved Domains (3) summary
    cd06612
    Location:17 → 268
    STKc_MST1_2; Catalytic domain of the Serine/Threonine Kinases, Mammalian STe20-like protein kinase 1 and 2
    smart00220
    Location:24 → 268
    S_TKc; Serine/Threonine protein kinases, catalytic domain
    pfam11629
    Location:420 → 467
    Mst1_SARAH; C terminal SARAH domain of Mst1

  2. XM_011529018.4 → XP_011527320.1  serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 isoform X3

    See identical proteins and their annotated locations for XP_011527320.1

    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    A0A087WVN8, Q59FZ4
    Related
    ENSP00000479564.2, ENST00000474717.3
    Conserved Domains (3) summary
    cd06612
    Location:1 → 205
    STKc_MST1_2; Catalytic domain of the Serine/Threonine Kinases, Mammalian STe20-like protein kinase 1 and 2
    smart00220
    Location:1 → 205
    S_TKc; Serine/Threonine protein kinases, catalytic domain
    pfam11629
    Location:357 → 404
    Mst1_SARAH; C terminal SARAH domain of Mst1

  3. XM_047440425.1 → XP_047296381.1  serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 isoform X1

    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    Q59FZ4

  4. XM_005260532.5 → XP_005260589.1  serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 isoform X1

    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    Q59FZ4
    Conserved Domains (3) summary
    cd06612
    Location:17 → 268
    STKc_MST1_2; Catalytic domain of the Serine/Threonine Kinases, Mammalian STe20-like protein kinase 1 and 2
    smart00220
    Location:24 → 268
    S_TKc; Serine/Threonine protein kinases, catalytic domain
    pfam11629
    Location:420 → 467
    Mst1_SARAH; C terminal SARAH domain of Mst1

  5. XM_017028033.2 → XP_016883522.1  serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 isoform X4

    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    A0PJ51

  6. XM_047440426.1 → XP_047296382.1  serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 isoform X2

    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    Q59FZ4

Alternate T2T-CHM13v2.0

Genomic

  1. NC_060944.1 Alternate T2T-CHM13v2.0

    Range
    46702402..46815925
    Download
    GenBank, FASTA, Sequence Viewer (Graphics)

mRNA and Protein(s)

  1. XM_054323935.1 → XP_054179910.1  serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 isoform X4

    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    A0PJ51

  2. XM_054323932.1 → XP_054179907.1  serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 isoform X1

    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    Q59FZ4

  3. XM_054323931.1 → XP_054179906.1  serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 isoform X1

    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    Q59FZ4

  4. XM_054323934.1 → XP_054179909.1  serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 isoform X3

    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    Q59FZ4

  5. XM_054323933.1 → XP_054179908.1  serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 isoform X2

    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    Q59FZ4
Nucleotide Protein
Heading Accession and Version
Protein Accession Links
GenPept Link UniProtKB Link
Q13043.2 GenPept UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot:Q13043

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