Protein kinases of the DYRK (dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase) family require phosphorylation of a conserved tyrosine residue in the activation loop for full activity. Here we have characterized the role of conserved amino acids that are located in the vicinity of the phosphorylated tyrosine in DYRK1A (Tyr-321). Mutation of Gin-323, but not Asn-365 or Glu-366, to either alanine, glutamate, or asparagine reduced the in vitro-kinase activity of DYRK1A towards the peptide substrate, DYRKtide, to a similar degree (15-37% of wild type) as the mutation of the phosphorylation site itself (Y321F). Similarly, the in vivo-kinase activity of DYRK1A-Q323N and of DYRK1A-Y321F, as assessed by Ser-727 phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in COS-7 cells, was markedly reduced in comparison with wild type DYRK1A. These data show that the contribution of Gln-323 and Tyr-321 to the full catalytic activity of DYRK1A is a specific functional characteristic of the DYRK family. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.