HIPK2: a multitalented partner for transcription factors in DNA damage response and development

Protein phosphorylation is a widely diffuse and versatile post-translational modification that controls many cellular processes, from signal transduction to gene transcription. The homeodomain-interacting protein kinases (HIPI(s) belong to a new family of serine-threonine kinases first identified as corepressors for homeodomain transcription factors. Different screenings for the identification of new partners of transcription factors have indicated that HIPK2, the best characterized member of the HIPK family, is a multitalented coregulator of an increasing number of transcription factors and cofactors. The aim of this review is to describe the different mechanisms through which HIPK2 regulates gene transcription.