Catalytic domain of the Protein Tyrosine Kinases, Lymphocyte-specific kinase and Blk
PTKs catalyze the transfer of the gamma-phosphoryl group from ATP to tyrosine (tyr) residues in protein substrates. Lck and Blk are members of the Src subfamily of proteins, which are cytoplasmic (or non-receptor) PTKs. Lck is expressed in T-cells and natural killer cells. It plays a critical role in T-cell maturation, activation, and T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling. Lck phosphorylates ITAM (immunoreceptor tyr activation motif) sequences on several subunits of TCRs, leading to the activation of different second messenger cascades. Phosphorylated ITAMs serve as binding sites for other signaling factor such as Syk and ZAP-70, leading to their activation and propagation of downstream events. In addition, Lck regulates drug-induced apoptosis by interfering with the mitochondrial death pathway. The apototic role of Lck is independent of its primary function in T-cell signaling. Blk is expressed specifically in B-cells. It is involved in pre-BCR (B-cell receptor) signaling. Src kinases contain an N-terminal SH4 domain with a myristoylation site, followed by SH3 and SH2 domains, a tyr kinase domain, and a regulatory C-terminal region containing a conserved tyr. They are activated by autophosphorylation at the tyr kinase domain, but are negatively regulated by phosphorylation at the C-terminal tyr by Csk (C-terminal Src Kinase). The Lck/Blk subfamily is part of a larger superfamily that includes the catalytic domains of other kinases such as serine/threonine kinases, RIO kinases, aminoglycoside phosphotransferase, choline kinase, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase.
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