HIPK2 (Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2) is a member of the HIPK family, characterized by high expression and activity in the cell nucleus, especially involved in DNA damage response and apoptosis. Featuring a kinase activity domain and a regulatory domain, HIPK2 precisely modulates downstream signaling. It is primarily located in the nucleus, where it regulates cell cycle, apoptosis, and development processes by phosphorylating specific substrates, such as p53. The expression of HIPK2 is tissue-specific, and mutations or dysregulation in its gene are associated with the development of various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.