Nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Function

Fyn is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase related to Src that is frequently found in cell junctions. Die protein is N-myristoylated and palmitoylated and thereby becomes associated with caveolae-like membrane microdomains. Fyn can interact with a variety of other signaling molecules and control a diversity of biological processes such as T cell receptor signaling, regulation of brain function, and adhesion mediated signaling. 

Despite the similar functions of each isozyme, only two regions of amino acid homology exist (X and Y), one of 150 and a second of 120 amino acid residues, which are 54% and 42% identical among the isozymes but are differentially localized within each enzyme (Fig. 20-3). The X and Y domains form the catalytic core of the enzyme. A characteristic of the (3 and 8 isoforms is that relatively few amino acids (40-110) separate the X and Y entities, whereas a much larger separation is observed for the PLCy isoform (approx. 400). In addition, in PLCy, the region between X and Y contains amino acid sequences that are found in nonreceptor tyrosine kinases (SH2 and SH3 domains). All four isoforms possess pleckstrin homology (PH) domains. The latter are considered to enable the enzyme to become tethered to the plasmalemma via an interaction with PI(4,5)P2. In addition, all PLC isoforms possess an E-F hand domain, which is located between PH and X domains, and a C2 domain, which is located close to the Y domain. 

In addition to receptor tyrosine kinases, the cell also contains a number of tyrosine-specific protein kinases that are not an integral component of transmembrane receptors. These nonreceptor tyrosine kinases are localized in the cytoplasm at least occasionally or they are associated with transmembrane receptors on the cytoplasmic side of the cell membrane. They are therefore also known as cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases. The nonreceptor tyrosine kinases perform essential functions in signal transduction via cytokine receptors (see Chapter 11) and T cell receptors, and in other signaling pathways. 

Structure and General Function of Nonreceptor Tyrosine Kinases... 

Permanent or transient association with subcellular structures, and variable subcellular distribution, are characteristic for the cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases. Tire nonreceptor tyrosine kinases are intracellular effector molecules that can associate with specific substrates during the process of signal transduction and activate these by tyrosine phosphorylation, to pass on the signal. Many of the functions of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinases are performed in the iimnediate vicinity of the cell membrane, whether a signal is received from an activated membrane receptor or a signal is passed on to a membrane-associated protein. 

Nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases contain a catalytic domain, as well as various regulatory domains important for proper functioning of the enzyme 416... 

Nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases contain a catalytic domain, as well as various regulatory domains important for proper functioning of the enzyme. NRPTKs are found in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, cytosol, endosomal membranes and nucleus. These include the Src, Jak, Abl, Tec, Ack, Csk, Fak, Fes, Frk and Syk subfamilies (Fig. 24-3). Since a great deal is known about the structure and regulation of the Src family tyrosine kinase, we will use it to illustrate the principles in NRPTK signaling unique features in other subfamilies will be indicated... 

FIGURE 24-3 Nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase (NRPTK) families. The family members are shown to the right and family name to the left of each NRPTK. Inset indicates the PTK catalytic domain and other domains for the regulation of localization and function. (From reference [5], with permission of Nature. Nature 2001.)... 

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