Serine/threonine-protein kinase 16, also known as myristoylated and palmitoylated serine/threonine-protein kinase, Protein kinase PKL12, TGF-beta-stimulated factor 1, TSF-1, MPSK1 and STK16, is a membrane protein that is ubiquitously expressed at very low levels. STK16 / MPSK1 belongs to the protein kinase superfamily and Ser/Thr protein kinase family. It contains one protein kinase domain. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) shows a variety of biological activities in various organs or cells. Some factors such as Smads (Sma and Mad proteins) and TGF-beta activating kinase 1 have been characterized as signalling molecules downstream of TGF-beta. Several TGF-beta response elements have been identified such as cAMP response element, Smad binding element, and recognition sites for activating protein-1 and stimulating protein-1 in various gene promoters. STK16 / MPSK1 is a unique factor with two biological functions, transcriptional regulation and protein phosphorylation, that may be involved in TGF-beta signals. STK16 / MPSK1 is a protein kinase that acts on both serine and threonine residues. STK16 / MPSK1 possessed DNA-binding ability and activated the TGF-beta responsive CNP promoter or vascular endothelial growth factor gene promoter which possesses a sequence element analogous to the TGF-beta responsive GC-rich element of the CNP promoter. STK16 / MPSK1 did not directly activate a Smads-dependent promoter from plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 gene, but it showed enhancement in co-operation with Smad3 and Smad4. STK16 / MPSK1 mRNA as well as its protein level were stimulated by TGF-beta treatment.